Alternatives to Animal Testing -- In Song

William Moy Statten Russell, one of the scientists who first formulated the 3Rs of alternatives, died July 27, 2006. He was 81.

In 1954, Russell, a zoologist, joined with microbiologist Rex L. Burch in a systematic study of the use of laboratory animals in research. In 1959, the pair published The Principles of Humane Experimental Technique in which they classified humane techniques under the headings of replacement, reduction, and refinement-now commonly known as the three Rs.

Russell and Burch were delighted to learn of the impact their work now has on the lives of laboratory animals, and they were honored guests at several major meetings in the field. Participants at these meetings (including the second World Congress on Alternatives and Animal Use in the Life Sciences) may well remember Bill Russell's lively renditions of the 3Rs framed as Gilbert and Sullivan patter songs.

His 3Rs song was no anomaly. Journalist and family friend Cleo Paskal described Russell as "one of the world's great polymaths," who combined his "vast knowledge and superb memory with an infallibly generous and cheerful disposition and the propensity to break out in song."

This video combines two clips -- the first from the Sheringham Workshop on the 3Rs, held in the U.K. in 1995, and the second from the 2nd World Congress on Alternatives and Animal Use in the Life Sciences in Utrecht from 1996.

More about Bill Russell: http://altweb.jhsph.edu/news/2006/20060824.htm

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• animal
• testing
• alternatives
• 3Rs
• singing
• bill
• russell

[journeyman47]

What a great song~ and a great guy. It's a shame he's gone; he will always be remembered by those who care about their fellow animals.

[ShroedingerWatcher]

There are no alternatives to vivisection, since alternative implies something different but equally valid, but it is hard to find anything in biomedical research that is, and always has been, more deceptive and misleading than vivisection. The methods we propose for medical research should therefore be called scientific rather than alternative. Pietro Croce.

[darkendbites2000]

BRILLIANT

[gilesurwin]

A fine reworking of the 'Matter' patter song from Gilbert and Sullivan's 'Ruddigore' there...

If I hadn't performed it 2 years ago, I'd feel preeeeeetty lame for knowing that...

[SpoonsForks]

LAWL