US scientists have created two biochips that could replace the use of animals in toxicity tests for chemicals and drugs. The biochips mimic the reaction of the human body and reveal whether chemicals and pharmaceuticals are toxic to skin and organs.
According to an article in the current Scientific American magazine, biochips promise to deliver better drug and chemical testing, cutting costs and nixing the need for most animal testing.
State leaders want Arizona to become a state-of-the art biotech hub. If so, scientists at TGen and academic institutions should take note of this breakthrough technology that provides a low cost, accurate alternative to animal testing. As Arizona expands its biotech industry, this is the type of cutting-edge science that should be embraced.
Karen Michael
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Sunday, December 16, 2007
"City of Covance"
That was my favorite lawyer slip-up at oral argument on the various Motions to Dismiss before Judge Paul McMurdie of Maricopa County Superior Court in Weedon v. Covance.
Judge McMurdie took the matter under advisement - that means he will rule later. The "City of Covance" faux pas came from Joe Mais who represents Covance Laboratories, Inc. I suspect many Chandler residents think Mr. Mais got it right. The City of Chandler's City Council and staff failed to provide a meaningful public process, and go through a rigorous due diligence process. It makes you wonder if Arizona's fifth largest City is the City of Covance.
There were a number of motions pending in the hearing. All Motions to Dismiss. These are what lawyers call procedural motions, and what lay people call technicalities. The plaintiffs may have an uphill fight, based on the Judge's questions and comments, but Plaintiffs' lawyer Ty Tabor did a nice job, and addressed the Judge's questions head on. He correctly reminded the Judge that for the purposes of ruling on Motions to Dismiss, he must assume the allegations of the First Amended Complaint are true. He also pointed out that the allegations are factual, and based on actual events from Covance facilities around the country. Mr. Mais had challenged this in his opening.
I guess in the City of Covance facts are a little different than they are in the rest of the country.
Stephanie Nichols-Young
Judge McMurdie took the matter under advisement - that means he will rule later. The "City of Covance" faux pas came from Joe Mais who represents Covance Laboratories, Inc. I suspect many Chandler residents think Mr. Mais got it right. The City of Chandler's City Council and staff failed to provide a meaningful public process, and go through a rigorous due diligence process. It makes you wonder if Arizona's fifth largest City is the City of Covance.
There were a number of motions pending in the hearing. All Motions to Dismiss. These are what lawyers call procedural motions, and what lay people call technicalities. The plaintiffs may have an uphill fight, based on the Judge's questions and comments, but Plaintiffs' lawyer Ty Tabor did a nice job, and addressed the Judge's questions head on. He correctly reminded the Judge that for the purposes of ruling on Motions to Dismiss, he must assume the allegations of the First Amended Complaint are true. He also pointed out that the allegations are factual, and based on actual events from Covance facilities around the country. Mr. Mais had challenged this in his opening.
I guess in the City of Covance facts are a little different than they are in the rest of the country.
Stephanie Nichols-Young
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
