Specious Science:
How Genetics and Evolution Reveal Why Medical Research on Animals Harms Humans

by C. Ray Greek, MD and Jean Swingle Greek, DVM

There is a "great divide" between the species that makes extrapolation of biochemical research from one group to another utterly invalid. In their previous work, Sacred Cows and Golden Geese: The Human Cost of Experiments on Animals ("a book to spur discussion and action"—Booklist), the Greeks show how an amorphous but insidious network of drug manufacturers, researchers dependent on government grants, even cage manufacturers — among others benefiting from 'white-coat welfare' — have perpetuated animal research in spite of its total unpredictability when applied to humans. (Cancer in mice, for example was cured years ago. Chimps live long and healthy life with AIDS. There is no animal form of Alzheimer's disease.)

In so explaining, the Greeks blew the lid off the "specious science" we have been culturally conditioned to accept.

This persuasive new book, Specious Science, takes these stunning revelations one step further. In accessible language, it provides the scientific underpinning for the Greeks' philosophy of do no harm to any animal, human or not. Specious Science examines pediatrics, diseases of the brain, new surgical techniques, in vitro research, the Human Genome and Proteome Projects, an array of technological breakthroughs, and more.

When we understand that the pseudoscience of animal-model research is actually a corrupt and wasteful system, we also understand how it leads to the loss of human life every day. It is then up to us to urge lawmakers to reexamine much of the misguided research that actually undermines our health-care system.

—From the bookjacket of Specious Science

$26.95