The following piece is by Jacquie Calnan, the President of Americans for Medical Progress
I was delighted this past fall to join with members of the APS Animal Care and Experimentation Committee, staff and guests in a wide-ranging discussion on how to bolster public appreciation of the necessity for animal-based research. APS has long been a leader in encouraging scientists to engage various audiences on the animal research issue through variety of approaches.
As a professional society, the APS seems to recognize the importance of talking about research. That is, it realizes that scientists must avoid taking the “ostrich” approach as far as making the case for science in the face of animal rights criticism. Over the past two decades, my organization, Americans for Medical Progress, has focused on providing research advocates with the resources and tools to help in their personal outreach initiatives.
Scientists are at the forefront of biomedical advances, so who better to explain the importance of research, the need for animal models, and the care that the animals receive?
Public outreach is best served by speaking informatively to members of the public, not debating animal rights activists. Ben Franklin once said, “Mankind is divided into three classes – the immoveable, the movables and those who are the movers.” We must be the movers: we can’t cede the ground to the activists. While we’ll never change the minds of the hardcore animal rights believers—and we shouldn’t squander our resources trying to do so—the vast majority of the people we meet will be the movables: those we have a true opportunity to convince of the importance of animal research.
We know that the facts support our case, and it’s a straightforward matter to build a strong argument from those facts. But we must also address people’s natural concerns about the welfare of the animals, and relate to our audiences on an emotional level, as individuals passionate about and proud of their research.
In seeking public support, the battle isn’t only for minds—it’s also for people’s hearts.
So don’t be afraid to show your own heart. Use relevant examples to illustrate the care given to the animals, and talk about your own experience or that of a loved one in fighting a disease or recovering from an injury.
Connect with your audience on a personal basis, whether you’re giving a school talk, meeting with public officials, writing a blog post, or talking to your front office staff. That personal connection is most likely what will determine what they will take away from the encounter: how you related with them—not the specifics of what you said. Let them see your commitment and concern: share what you most care about.
We must create what I call “light bulb moments” in advocacy. Once people hear our case, most find animal research is simply a matter of common sense, and they’re receptive to hearing more. We’ve all seen that response in talking one-on-one with relatives, friends and neighbors about research: the light bulb of understanding that comes on.
The overall goal is to foster many thousands of such light bulb moments—to make sure that Americans understand and continue to support the ongoing quest for treatments and cures.
Those you speak with may not know the science, but they will understand the logic behind the need to use animals in research. And when they hear of your commitment to animal welfare, that there are people in your facility who love animals and whose job it is to focus on their care and well-being, you will put to rest their greatest concern about animal research and win their hearts as well as their minds.
In a phrase: Get out and tell your story. The simple fact is that if you don’t, your critics will offer a distorted account!
People need to hear of your successes; they need to hear personal stories of how the advances you and your colleagues are working towards will change their lives for the better. This is the triumphant story of biomedical research: the treatments and cures that are now reality, as well as those still to come.
So make a start. Take advantage of the opportunities that come to you in your daily life.
For those new at this, talk first with those you know—friends and family. Give them a chance to ask questions, voice their opinions and concerns. This will help build your confidence to reach out to broader audiences.
You can find ways to bring elements of your story up in informal settings, too, whether at a party, the gym, waiting in line at the supermarket, especially if you are naturally an extrovert. But if it doesn’t come easily to you, you should challenge yourself to take just one step every day. Talk with your cab driver, your neighbor or the passenger seated beside you on your next flight. The more you do this, the more natural, the more comfortable it becomes.
Don’t forget your coworkers. Sure, everyone in your lab understands why animal research is vital, but what of the many others on campus, from the clerk who orders your supplies to teaching assistants in other fields who might initially reject the use of animals in research? Work with your institution’s communications office to invite a trusted reporter from the campus paper in to write a feature story about ongoing research and the care the animals receive. Ensure that the information about animal welfare on campus websites—both external and internal—is correct. Consider holding a brown bag lunch or similar informal forum to get the word out to all. You don’t want anyone in your institution to be ill-informed or taken by surprise with the ‘revelation’ that animal research is being conducted on campus. Animal rights activists have a long history of leveraging access to facilities through sympathetic employees, or staffers with lingering concerns about research.
Get invited into an elementary or secondary school classroom, either for career day or in a science class. Teachers are inundated with materials and visits by animal rights activists and most would welcome a fresh perspective. The staff of APS, along with those of us from Americans for Medical Progress and other advocacy groups can help you prepare and guide you to the many resources available to you.
Remember that kids today are the next generation of scientists, lawmakers and voters. They’ll determine the future of biomedical research. We need to be where they are, and that means not just schools but online.
Social media is a custom-made tool for reaching young audiences. With just a few minutes of effort a day, you can share articles, make comments and provoke the interest of potentially thousands of readers.
APS has already established itself in this evolving landscape with Facebook and Twitter accounts that circulate regular postings about research. We at AMP—along with most scientific and research advocacy organizations—are also involved. So make a start: engage with us on Twitter (@curedisease): “like” our pages on Facebook; and start sharing our materials with your own online community.
For those of you who want to write more than 140 characters or a paragraph of comment, there are many outlets. You can start a blog of your own, if you are so inspired, or write a one-time guest commentary about your research. Both Speaking of Research and Understanding Animal Research’s AnimalResearch.info, offer good places to begin, and much in need of scientists’ articles to add to their informative content.
Whatever the medium, AMP can help you create a public outreach style that is right for you. Work with us—contact us at amp@amprogress.org. There’s so much you can do and ways we can help you. Whatever format you choose, whatever time you can offer, you can contribute toward informing the public and creating a positive environment for research.