What could Dr Finlay and Mr Herriot learn from each other?
BMJ 2005; 331 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.331.7527.1220 (Published 24 November 2005) Cite this as: BMJ 2005;331:1220
- Bob Michell, professor of comparative medicine (bobmichell@hotmail.com)
- Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, John Vane Science Centre, London EC1M 6BQ
Comparisons of human and animal diseases can benefit patients of all species
The late 19th century brought recognition that normality and disease depended on similar mechanisms in humans and animals; leading scientists espoused the concept of “one medicine,” calling it the medicine of the future. Comparative medicine largely failed to realise these expectations during the 20th century, becoming narrowly equated with induced rodent models of human disease. But veterinary and medical research have plenty to learn from each other.
Comparative medicine is the study of comparable diseases in different species; similarities and differences are both informative. Induced models are useful for identifying potential disease mechanisms, but spontaneous models come into their own with multifactorial diseases combining genetic, dietary, environmental, toxic, immune, and other factors—which are inherently difficult to model—and for the assessment of new treatments ahead of human trials, thereby bringingveterinary patients faster access to clinical innovations.
The iconic television general practitioner, Dr Finlay
Credit: COPYRIGHT BBC
For many diseases—such …