The chief researcher involved in a contentious heart study conducted on canines is standing by the significance of his research following the closure of his lab in London, Ont., and the threat from Ontario’s premier to ban dogs in research. Frank Prato granted an exclusive interview to CBC London after being cleared of all animal abuse allegations by two separate animal ethics committees.
In August, an investigation by the Investigative Journalism Bureau and Postmedia disclosed that scientists at the Lawson Research Institute were conducting experiments at St. Joseph’s Hospital in London in which they induced three-hour heart attacks in dogs and puppies before euthanizing them for further study. The research was kept confidential, with the animals reportedly brought into the hospital in covered crates to muffle their sounds.
Following public backlash, including criticism from Premier Doug Ford, who pledged to crack down on scientists performing animal experiments, St. Joseph’s suspended Prato’s research. Prato disputes claims that his work was covert, stating that he began utilizing dogs to study post-heart attack effects in 1982 at the hospital. He argued that the dogs were fully anesthetized during the procedures and did not experience pain, highlighting the potential benefits of his research in understanding heart diseases and aiding in recovery processes.
An independent review by Western University’s Animal Care Committee (ACC) and the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) found no evidence of wrongdoing in Prato’s lab. The investigations confirmed that the study did not induce heart failure in the dogs and that they were pain-free throughout the process.
Prato emphasized the importance of continuing such research to advance heart disease treatments, pointing out that dogs were chosen due to their physiological similarities to humans in terms of cardiovascular systems. He clarified that the dogs used were not puppies but full-sized laboratory-bred dogs, chosen for their resemblance to human heart structures and blood flow patterns.
Despite facing repercussions in his career and personal life, Prato expressed greater concern for the potential impact on cardiac patients due to halting this line of research. He acknowledged the emotional significance of dogs as companions but highlighted the broader implications of prioritizing one dog’s life over the potential benefits to millions of patients with heart conditions.