A pioneering plastic surgeon's views on animal experimentation for medical purposes

[Guest guest]

Interesting extract from a newly published book on medicine :

 

" Research in the clinical laboratory of the burns unit got a fillip with the

new inputs in immunology, but the major emphasis shifted to leprosy. An

animal house was established to test the viability and drug sensitivity of

the leprosy germ with the only available means - the mouse foot pad. On

hindsight, I believe that torturing animals for the welfare of humans is

hardly justifiable. Science is insensitive to the harm it does to animals

for selfish motives, and is also doing something similar to the human

species with the undertaking of several unethical clinical trials in our

part of the world. "

 

 

 

- A Life of Change, The Autobiography of a Doctor, Dr Noshir H

Antia, Penguin Books, Page 87, New Delhi, 2009.

 

 

 

Noshir Antia was born on 8 February 1922 in Hubli. After graudating in

medicine from the Grant Medical College he joined the Army Medical Corps

during the Second World War. After the war he went to England to study

surgery. On his return, he pioneered plastic surgery in India. His interest

in biomedical research and the social aspects of medicine grew while working

at the J J Hospital in Bombay, and led him to establish the Foundation for

Research in Community Health(FRCH) and the Foundation for Medical

Research(FMR). He received numerous awards including the Padma Shri in

recognition of his efforts in diverse fields.

 

 

 

He died in Pune on 26 June, 2007. His autobiography has been published

posthumously.

 

 

 

‘Antia was a sophisticated blend of intellect, humility and common sense.

How often do you find such a magical combination in a human being?’

 

 

 

- Dr Kaveri Nambisan, surgeon and novelist

and Dr Antia’s student.