Bioscience Briefing
For info about biomedical funding, animal research and other bioscience issues, click here.
Legislation Watch
So-called "Pet Safety Bills" don't protect pets but they do pose a threat to medical research. More information
Science Policy Announcements
For the latest news from the APS Science Policy click here.
Resource Book Now Available
Click here for more info on The APS Resource Book for the Design of Animal Exercise Protocols.
How You Can Help
Talk
Word of mouth is a powerful tool and the first step to addressing an issue to raise the public's awareness of it. Just bringing up the subject is a good start.
If you are a scientist, let your neighbors, family, friends and general community know it. You have a valuable "in the trenches" perspective from which they can benefit. Talk about the issues affecting your research and why other people should be aware of them.
If you are not a scientist but still concerned about biomedical research, let your neighbors, family, friends and general community know. Make sure they are aware of its importance. Talk about how your life has been touched by scientific research.
Become a Voice in Your Community
Beyond the casual discussion is deliberate effort. Volunteer to speak to, or otherwise help advise, local school science classes, community centers, churches and organizations—starting with those to which you already belong. Click here for tips talking to students or here for tips for talking to adult groups.
Scientists, let local science teachers know that you are willing to talk to students about your area of expertise. Teaching children the importance of science early is a great way to ensure they will respect it when they're older.
Write letters to your local paper when issues come up—remember your representatives read that paper to know what constituents are saying.
Contact local media to suggest story ideas. If you want to go further, the APS Communications Office has a tip sheet for giving media interviews.
Contact your Representatives
Legislators appreciate feedback from their constituents. Let them know where you stand on bills and why they should agree.
Unsure who your Senators and Representative are? Enter your zip code in the "Contact Congress" form to the right and the FASEB Action Alert page will tell you, not only who they are but how they voted on key bioscience bills.
Scientists, you are the ones with the greatest authority to speak to the value of medical research—let your representatives know what you know. If it's feasible, you might even invite your representative to tour your lab and see research first hand.
Check out the other Resource Kit pages for how to contact congress, and what to say when you do.
Don't Give Up!
It takes time to see results from advocacy efforts. The longer you can keep working, the more good it will do.