University receives permit to continue ‘cruel’ owl tests

A Johns Hopkins University researcher can continue medical experiments on barn owls after a lengthy battle with the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) over animal cruelty and permit complaints, writes Ngan Ho for Phys.org.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources last month issued Hopkins a new permit to conduct what PETA calls “cruel” and “worthless” experiments on barn owls. The animal rights group has campaigned for years to end the experiments, saying researchers cut into the owls’ skulls, implant electrodes in their brains and run sensory tests before killing the birds.

Hopkins has been staunch in its support for Associate Professor Shreesh Mysore's research, which focuses on deconstructing neural circuits in the brain and understanding how they shape behaviour. The study could yield critical insight into medical conditions, including ADHD, autism and schizophrenia, so that scientists can develop better interventions and treatments, the university says.
Full report on the Phys.org site