Conferences
10–14 October 2011, Freising, Germany
Does Size Matter? Ethical, Societal, Legal and Biological Aspects of Large Animals as Biomedical Models
International Summer School 10–14 October 2011, Freising/Munich • Germany
Genetically modified mice and other rodent models have undoubtedly made major contributions to biomedical research, revealing the molecular basis of many human diseases and enabling proof-of-principle studies for novel diagnostic and treatment strategies. But mice are not men, and their predictive value for preclinical studies is often called into question. Larger animals, which resemble humans in size, physiology and the anatomy of many organ systems, notably pigs, are therefore gaining attention as biomedical models.
However the general public and the regulatory authorities may view large animal research more critically than the use of rodents. The participants of the summer school – young researchers and senior experts – will examine the inter-relationship between animal research, the ethical discourse and the balance of interests necessary for the framing of rational regulations and guidelines. They will specifically focus on the comparison of rodents with large animals and use this to highlight various aspects of animal experimentation ethics.
Junior participants will present and discuss their own work, and there will be a number of lectures by senior experts covering relevant topics. The summer school will close with a public podium discussion event to take place at the Carl von Linde-Akademie in Munich on Friday, 14 October 2011.
