OSU President Cans Anthrax Vaccine Research On Primates

Wrath0fb0b writes "Oklahoma State University President Burns Hargis has abruptly canceled an NIH-funded study on an anthrax vaccine in primates. (The primates would have to be euthanized afterward.) There is suspicion that the decision was meant to appease large donor Madeleine Pickens, the wife of noted huntsman T. Boone Pickens, who had previously pressured the school over animal-rights issues. Scientists counter that the study was approved by the NIH peer-review process, the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and subject to the Federal Animal Welfare Act (by virtue of using NIH money) and that the decision by the President has short-circuited months of planning and deliberation on the matter. Hargis has denied being influenced by Pickens and cited 'confidential factors' that he couldn't discuss, telling the faculty council that 'to go through every lurid detail is simply not prudent.' A post on Pickens' blog, on the other hand, obliquely takes credit for the 'great decision,' noting a faculty member's hunch that the 'generous benefactor to OSU and her ties to the Humane Society of the United States may have played a role in the termination of the project.' Meanwhile, the NIH expressed displeasure at the decision, stating, 'NIH fully expects institutions to honor these assurances and commitment to complete NIH supported projects as requested, approved and funded.' Some OSU scientists speculated that the fiasco would make it harder for them to receive NIH funding in the future."

Re:"peer-reviewed"

[clang_jangle]

I insist on only genuine, all-natural, organic, peer-reviewed research! Preferably it should also synergize multiple externalities whilst being fully recyclable and good for the environment.

What? Oh.

[Quiet_Desperation]

Will he be marketing this canned anthrax to the general public? Does Homeland Securitah know about this?

Now they'll have to use students instead.

[John Hasler]

Too bad. It would be better to use something closer to humans.

Re:Not OSU

[Anonymous Coward]

I always find it funny how Ohio State just has to have "The", usually capitalized, in front of its name.

I realize that the "The" is part of its name, but I'm commenting on how militant people are in putting it there. At medical meetings, the attendings, residents, etc. almost always spend far too much time correcting others- "It's THE Ohio State University". It's really funny- I don't know if Ohio State people realize that others make fun of 'em for it.

Also, just because somebody owns a domain doesn't mean that they're the only "OSU".

Re:huntsman T. Boone Pickens?

[bsDaemon]

It doesn't even mention his hunting in his Wikipedia article, which at the very least casts doubt onto his huntsmanship being "noted," as the summary suggests. As far as I can tell, he's hardly a Ted Nugent.

Re:Lol, denied being influenced by Pickens

[idontgno]

At which point you add "Memorial" to everything. Problem solved.

Rename OSU for Pickens?

[igaborf]

Sure, and they can call the Agricultural College "Boone's Farm."

Re:Bullshit

[Anonymous Coward]

Yeah, these smallpox drugs are costing me a fortune.

Re:Rename OSU for Pickens?

[WillDraven]

I'll drink to that!

Re:Bullshit

[Anonymous Coward]

This is one of the worst posts I've seen on Slashdot in months, good job there.