Rowan Wins Russell and Burch AwardBy Deborah Rudacille For nearly two decades, Andrew N. Rowan, D.Phil., director of the Tufts Center for Animals and Public Policy, has worked to unite scientists and animal protectionists in a fruitful and mutually respectful dialogue. His efforts were recently recognized by the Humane Society of the United States, which presented Rowan with the 1996 Russell and Burch Award during the World Congress in Utrecht. The Russell and Burch Award, named for the authors of the classic text, The Principles of Humane Experimental Technique, on which the current concept of alternatives is based, was instituted by the HSUS in 1992 to recognize scientists who have made outstanding contributions to animal welfare. Beginning with a two-year tenure as scientific officer at the Fund for the Replacement of Animals in Medical Experiments (FRAME) in the U.K., Rowan embarked upon a course which no scientist had yet attempted--serious public consideration of the animal protection community's assertion that scientists needed to examine their work more closely and reevaluate many tried and true methodologies and the world view which supported them. Rather than dismissing these claims as outlandish, Rowan proceeded to examine them and to encourage other scientists to examine them seriously as well. As indicated by his receipt of the Russell and Burch Award, Rowan's efforts have been extremely successful. He served as scientific advisor to Henry Spira's Coalition to Abolish the Draize Test in the early 1980's, an effort that launched massive changes in product development and product safety testing worldwide. In his acceptance speech in Utrecht, Rowan thanked Spira for teaching him "that one individual can make an enormous difference, even in our technological bureaucratic age." Over the next decade, Rowan continued to play an important role in facilitating dialogue between the many players in the animal testing arena--industry, academics, government, and animal protection organizations, with whom Rowan has always had good working relationships. Because much of his work is carried out behind the scenes, Rowan has not always received the recognition accorded some of the more visible players in the alternatives movement. Nonetheless, his careful analyses and thorough knowledge of both the history of alternatives and the contemporary scene are unmatched and highly prized by journalists, students and fellow scholars interested in understanding the movement. His books, OF MICE, MODELS AND MEN and THE ANIMAL RESEARCH CONTROVERSY are invaluable references in the field. Two years ago, Rowan launched a master's program in animals and public policy at Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine, insuring that a new generation of scholars is trained to continue this work. Most recently, Dr. Rowan has focused on the issues of pain and suffering in laboratory animals, heading a working group to examine USDA guidelines in order to further clarify both definition of these terms and efforts to alleviate both. As always, pushing beyond the boundaries of commonly accepted definitions to a fuller deeper understanding of issues that will enhance both science and animal well-being, Andrew Rowan richly deserves the honor bestowed upon him by the Humane Society of the United States. The staff and Advisory Board of CAAT offer warmest congratulations. | 
