Un-cowed

La Jolla’s Scripps Research Institute, which has built a $187 million branch on the campus of Florida Atlantic University in Jupiter, has become a target of students there opposing animal research. “We’re protesting the relationship between FAU and Scripps,” FAU junior Brandon Block told the Palm Beach Post last week. “Not a lot of FAU students know that Scripps does cruel animal testing.” The paper reported that Scripps was conducting research related to mad cow disease on macaque monkeys but had no further details. Scripps released a statement denying any animal cruelty. “Scripps Research supports the humane treatment of animals in all of its research projects. Scripps Research strives to maintain the highest quality animal care and use program. Good science and good animal care are inseparable.” … Meanwhile, also in Florida, Charles Kennel, former director of Scripps Institution of Oceanography, has been named to a federal panel that will review future plans for human space travel. The Obama administration, contemplating a possible junking of manned space plans left over from the days of George W. Bush, created the group. UCSD professor-on-leave and ex-astronaut Sally Ride is also a member.