National Society for Medical Research (U.S.)

The National Society for Medical Research was established in 1946 with the purpose of insuring the freedom of investigators and teachers to use laboratory animals, whenever such use is justified. The Board of Directors was also active in lobbying for or against legislation involving the use of animals in research. It was conceived as an instrument to permit many organizations to conduct a joint program of public education on the methods and needs of biological and medical research. The purpose of the program was to educate the public about the need for animal research, in an effort to halt the growth of anti-vivisection, anti-dissection and other related anti-science cults. In 1984 the National Society for Medical Research merged with the Foundation for Bio-Medical Research.

From the description of National Society for Medical Research records, 1922-1984. (National Library of Medicine). WorldCat record id: 50124649

The National Society for Medical Research was established in 1946 with the purpose of insuring the freedom of investigators and teachers to use laboratory animals, whenever such use is justified. Over three hundred organizations supported NSMR. The official publication was the Bulletin of the National Society for Medical Research. The Board of Directors of the National Society for Medical Research was also active in lobbying for or against legislation involving the use of animals in research. NSMR also monitored the impact of mandated testing required by regulations on the use of human subjects in research. In 1984 the National Society for Medical Research merged with the Foundation for Bio-Medical Research.

In 1946 the National Society for Medical Research instituted the "Research Dog Hero Award," awarded annually to one particular research dog used for heart surgery or cancer research. An honorary collar was put around the "Research Dog Hero's" neck.

The National Society for Medical Research sponsored the Claude Bernard Science Journalism Award which gave recognition to responsible science reporting which has made a significant contribution to public understanding of basic research in the life sciences, including but not limited to experimental medicine. The Science Journalism Awards were established in 1967 by the Board of Directors of the National Society for Medical Research in the name of Claude Bernard, the great 19th century Frence physiologist and "founder of modern experimental medicine."

The National Council of the National Society for Medical Research was conceived as an instrument to permit many organizations to conduct a joint program of public education on the methods and needs of biological and medical research. The purpose of the program was to educate the public about the need for animal research, in an effort to halt the growth of anti-vivisection, anti-dissection and other related anti-science cults.

From the guide to the National Society for Medical Research Archives, 1946-1984, (History of Medicine Division. National Library of Medicine)