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Animal Commandos Online Activist Resource & History

Update on the canine glioma project at Barrow Neurological Institute

One of the nineteen survivors of the canine glioma project

"Never forget the power of one committed person to make a difference "

On December 15 and December 16, 2000, Michael Berens released 17 of 21 beagle puppies being held at the Veteran's Administration Hospital in Tucson, Arizona. The puppies had been held at the VA facility for over a year after they were transferred from Arizona State University following that institution's termination of the Berens' protocol. In a November meeting with the Barrow Vice President for Research, Dr. Elliot Katz and others were told that the puppies would be euthanized and their tissue used for genetic studies (the studies could have been done with a blood test and were meaningless because Michael Berens could not determine if the puppies had even received cancer cells). The 21 puppies were the only living survivors of the fetal implant surgery. 135 healthy puppies had survived the surgery and, after not developing tumors, had been killed. Arizonans went into action sponsoring a candle light vigil in front of Barrow Neurological Institute and renewing their efforts to save the lives of the puppies through telephone calls and letters. Suddenly, in the middle of December, Dr. Berens quietly arranged for 17 of the puppies to be adopted to employees at the Tucson VA Hospital. The employees were told that they were not to let anyone know about the adoptions because animal rights activists would see it as a victory and the project that the puppies had come from was just coming to an end. Recently, two more puppies were adopted out from Barrow.

Through the assistance of Congressman John Shadegg and Senator John McCain, the dispositions of the last puppies taken to Barrow were finally learned. Penelope was euthanised. Kong was transferred to another research project. Idgit was adopted out under the wrong name of Jake, and according to Barrow, Jake also was adopted out. Michael Berens has no dogs at Barrow at this time and has indicated to the USDA that he will not have more dogs for this project--time and vigilance will tell.

Michael Berens has not reapplied for funding from National Institutes of Health (NIH) but has been given a nonfunded extension on the third year of his current grant to analyze tissue from the 135 puppies that did not develop tumors and were killed.

Concerned Citizens for Animal Welfare (C.C.A.W.), a new organization made up of prominent community members and civic leaders in Arizona, has been formed to help permanently stop the Berens' research on beagle puppies and to address other issues regarding research on animals at Barrow Neurological Institute.

MORE COMING SOON.