The study of the brain has immeasurable benefits for the satisfaction of our most profound questions about the nature of life and of our own humanity and for continued improvements in health and well-being. Progress in these goals is only possible through experimental science. Despite the many advances that have been assisted by computational analysis, our understanding of this incredibly complex system is still very preliminary. The computational neuroscience community unequivocally supports the need for continued careful, humane, monitored animal research. The recent news that Nikos Logothetis, a giant in the study of visual processing in primates, has closed down primate work in his lab under pressure from animal liberation activists is a tragedy for the field. Dr Logothetis’ work has been fundamental in establishing direct links between the signals measured noninvasively through fMRI and the underlying neural signals, advancing the scientific value of fMRI as a tool. Dr Logothetis’ lab has been a model of excellence in the housing and care of experimental animals. An open letter to support Dr Logothetis can be found here.
Computational Neuroscience undergraduate and President of Grey Matters, Ben Cordy, recently published this eloquent essay in response to activism on UW campus.
Reblogged this on Computational Neuroscience.