Archived information
What Vets and Doctors Say About This Experiment
A question we had a P.O.E.T. is, why restart the experiment with a new investigator? An open records request found the answer in an e-mail dated June 10, 2002, that was sent to Dr. Yonushonis, Director of Laboratory Animals, from Earle Holland, Director Research Communications, with copies to C. Bradley Moore, Vice President for Research, and Lee C. Tashjian Jr, Vice President for University Relations. The e-mail is primarily concerning the statement then OSU President Kirwan should make concerning Podell’s departure from the university. But it also contained the following:
“NIH is very interested in having the work continue here under the direction of another investigator so that it doesn’t look like the animal rights protestors won on this issue.”
The work is not to continue because it is worthwhile, important, has the potential to help humans. No, the work continues, “so it doesn’t look like the animal rights protestors won on this issue.” Now there’s a real good reason to kill who knows how many innocent cats.
More information to follow as this new twist in this wasteful experiment opens a new chapter.
Updates to the "CATS-ON-METH" experiments are here.
The Columbus Dispatch story of Embattled researcher leaving Ohio State.
Our investigation has yet to determine whether or not another researcher at OSU will pick up the grant. From news reports it appears the cats on meth experiment is over but until POET sees something in writing we continue to be vigilant.
Our statement concerning this experiment. FIV Cats-On-Meth Abandoned - Seventy-Six Cats Saved
The New York Times, July 23, 2002, brings the debate to the front page with Debate Over Whether to Defend Animal Tests (registration required)
from TIME Magazine - June 24, 2002
By Andrew Goldstein
Ohio State University Veterinarian Michael Podell has spent the past two years infecting cats with the feline version of HIV, shooting them with methamphetamines (commonly known as speed), cutting into their brain tissue to examine their responses and then killing and dissecting them. His goal: to explore what happens when HIV-positive humans abuse drugs. But animal-rights activists did everything they could to stop the research, and last week, when Podell announced he was quitting the project and leaving the university, they declared victory. The university says Podell had received more than a thousand protest letters and e-mails, including nearly a dozen death threats. Demonstrators sprayed graffiti on campus calling on him to STOP TORTURING CATS. Podell's capitulation could mark an ominous turning point for the research community. Thousands of scientists use animals in their experiments (Ohio State alone used 54,000 research animals last year). Warns Frankie Trull, president of the Foundation for Biomedical Research: "Podell's decision is, we fear, just the beginning of a destructive campaign against research that is fundamental to the discovery of treatments for diseases that plague both humans and animals." The activists say it's about time. "So many of these experiments are unnecessary," says Neal Barnard, president of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. "They should be stopped."
Other News Reports
Nature June 20,2002 Drug researcher quits controversial cat study
March 21, 2002, Ohio State University sent out a press release in connection with the PCRM complaint filed with USDA. The release states that USDA approves OSU's animal care program. Well that's nice but what about Podell and the cats. OSU claims that "the USDA inspector reviewed the initial research protocol, the minutes of the ILACUC meeting where the project was discussed; all animal care records related to the project; and reviewed the university's overall animal care program."
Well we have just read the USDA inspection report and this is all it says.
Routine Inspection - March 14, 2002
This is a focused inspection for addressing protocol, 00A-0066.
NO-Non Compliances identified during this inspection.
Inspection conducted with William Yonushonis, DVM, Kevin O'Hare, DVM, and Richard Talman, PhD(ILACUC Chair)
That's it!!! What about a reason for the "cat found dead"?
Here is a link to the OSU Press Release
Thoughts from one of our members, Lee Williams, on the issue TRAGEDY AS FARCE
February 20,2002
Doctors File Three New Complaints
Over Controversial Cat Experiments
Health Advocates File with USDA, the National Institute on Drug Abuse, and Ohio State University
Washington, D.C.—The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) will file three separate complaints tomorrow over a controversial set of cat experiments underway at Ohio State University. In addition, PCRM president Neal Barnard, M.D., will testify about the faulty approval process that sanctioned the cat study, as well as its broader implications for all animal experiments, at a National Advisory Council on Drug Abuse meeting today in Bethesda, Md.
Click here for the complete press release.
Wednesday 26 December 2001
Doctors Sue NIH Over Controversial Cat Experiments
Washington, D.C.—The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) will file a lawsuit tomorrow against the federal National Institutes of Health (NIH) for concealing information about a controversial experiment involving live cats at Ohio State University (OSU) in Columbus.
The experiments, conducted by OSU veterinarian Michael Podell and funded by NIH, involve giving cats methamphetamine ("speed"), a drug of abuse. Podell also infects the cats with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), reportedly hoping to create an "animal model" showing the brain damage known to occur in humans who are both drug abusers and infected with the AIDS virus. Podell subjects cats to spinal taps and other stressful and painful procedures before killing them to examine their brains.
PCRM is suing NIH under the Freedom of Information Act for withholding numerous details about Podell's work, including his justification for choosing cats as a suitable animal upon which to experiment, behavioral testing procedures, and his plans for removing the cats' brains. PCRM received a copy of Podell's grant application earlier this year, but NIH had removed large portions of pertinent data. The suit is being brought in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
For the complete story visit:
PCRM Press Release
And the news stories continue in The Lantern.
Pictured is a cat Podell used to collect his preliminary data before receiving his NIH grant.
August 24th at the OSU Stadium
When OSU alumni and Buckeye fans came to soak up the glory of a new team, a new coach, and a newly-renovated stadium, animal activists were on hand to remind them that a university is more than just sports. OSU's reputation rides on the value of its teaching and research. Right now, OSU is tarnishing that reputation by endorsing Podell's cats-on-speed experiment which has been condemned by academics and AIDS activists, as well as advocates for animals. POET asked alumni to support the Buckeyes with cheers and euthusiasm, but to withold their buck$ until this cruel and unnecessary research is shut down. Hundreds of people could not help but see our banner.
To mark World Week For Animals In Laboratories and as part of a continuing protest against the Cats on Speed experiment at OSU, a banner was dropped from the under construction Sisson Hall. Easily seen by rush hour commuters going north or south the message was viewed for about an hour before OSU police removed the banner.
For more information including our first demonstrations, 120 hours fast, and more click here
On May 1, 2001 cat OOIOZ3 was "Found Dead". Details have yet to be released.
As we have said many times before this project will NOT help cats nor will it help people. Please continue to speak out for the cats.
Today, 4/20, we learned that on March 2, 2001 another 24 cats arrived from Liberty Research located in Waverly, NY.
The first 20 cats arrived December 7, 2000.
The last OSU ILACUC review took place on Friday, December 14th. As usual I go in early to review the Laboratory Animal Disposition Forms. This review is to learn where animals are being ordered from, when the animals are received, who is using the animals, and when the animals has died or been killed. What I learned today was the status of the cats ----
Between August 31, 2001 and November 4, 2001, forty-one of the cats were
killed.
Five cats on August 31
Six cats on September 4
Seven cats on September 5
Six cats on October 18
Eleven cats on November 3
Six cats on November 4
6/21/02 learned the fate of the last cat. Transferred to another protocol, the cat 001PI5, died during a procedure. (TOC)
One year ago the OSU ILACUC committee approved Podells protocol allowing him and his collaborators to make healthy cats sick with FIV, binge them on speed, and kill them. Add your voice to others who are calling for OSU to halt this experiment.
Below is an edit version of the Podell protocol. Contact us for a complete copy.
The Experimental Protocol for “A Feline Model of NeuroAIDS and Drug Abuse”
Species of Animal: 120 cats that will be housed at the OSU Veterinary Hospital
Anesthesia,Analgesia: Xylazine - Ketamine - Isoflurane - Diprivan
Surgery: Non-survival Surgery performed at Goss Lab
Euthanasia: Pentobarbital and Cardiac Perfusion
Early Removal Criteria: Cats exhibiting persistent (> 24 hr) physiological
(tachycardia, >220 bpm) or behavioral disturbances (sterotypic movements and/or
temor) after “binge” methamphetamine doses will be subjected to early removal
followed by euthanasia.
Protocol Description:
Three phases of dosing will occur: tolerance, chronic dosing, and acute binges. All doses
will be given at a concentration of ____ by ___________. Initial dosing to produce
tolerance to the sympathomimetic effects will occur for the _______ only for the
appropriate treated cats. __________________________________________
_________________Our preliminary data has demonstrated that cats tolerate this dose in
terms of body temperature, heart rate and weight regulation. Cats will then be placed on a
cyclic “on”-”off” cycle for the chronic dosing. The “on” dosing consists of ________
______ and ending with an acute “binge” for ___. The acute “binge” on the ______ of
each “on” cycle will be dosed at _____. Cats will then be “off” drug for ____ before the
next “on” cycle begins.
Six experimental groups of 18 adult cats will be used for this study. Groups are: 1) Saline control;2) METH dosed only; 3) FIV infected only; 4)METH dosed for 4 weeks
("on" 2 weeks, "off" 2 weeks) followed by FIV infection and chronic METH dosing; 5) FIV infection for 4 weeks followed by METH chronic dosing; and 6) Simultaneous commencement
of METH dosing with FIV infection. Six cats per group are sacrificed at 6, 12 and 24 months. An additional 12 cats are included to serve as possible replacement cats for
those cats that cannot achieve successful baseline criteria on the behavioral tasks. Total 120 cats.
Lay Abstract: The overall objective of this study is to evaluate the combined
effects of FIV infection and chronic METH with acute “binges” on immune
function and viral interaction, behavior, brain function, and brain damage.
Why the blanks? As of September 21st, OSU has not released the dosing levels that will be given to
the cats nor the how the drug (route)will be administered to the cats. Why is Podell hiding this information?
What Vets and Doctors Say About This Experiment
These are links to articles concerning Podell and his cats on speed experiment.
Cats On Crank
Animal Protection Institute - From Animal Issues, Volume 31, Number 3, Fall 2000
Animal Experiments Lead AIDS Research Astray
Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine Spring 2001 (Volume X,
Number 2)
Giving Cats Speed Is Not So Swift
Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine Commentary of the Month - December 2000
Editorial: A Case of Mistaken Priorities
Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine Spring 2001 (Volume X,
Number 2)
(TOC)
How You Can Help
Please help to stop this project. Contact - write a letter, e-mail, or phone
the following people listed below. All have an influence on the approval and continuation
of Podells experiment.
Karen A.Holbrook
President of The Ohio State University
Bricker Hall - Room 205
190 North Oval Mall
Columbus, Ohio 43210-1357
614-292-2424
e-mail President Holbrook at
holbrook.79@osu.edu
The National Institute On Drug Abuse is the federal funding agency for Podells project. The Directors Page.
Letters to the Editor
The Dispatch
34 S. 3rd St.
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Fax - 614-461-7580
e-mail: letters@dispatch.com
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Updated: 9/16/04
