The head researcher involved in a contentious cardiac experiment conducted on dogs is speaking up in defense of the significance of his work for the first time following the closure of his lab in London, Ontario, and the threat from the provincial leader to outlaw canine research.
Frank Prato granted an exclusive interview to CBC London after being informed that two separate animal ethics panels had exonerated him from all accusations of animal mistreatment. Last August, an expose by the Investigative Journalism Bureau and Postmedia disclosed that scientists at the Lawson Research Institute were surreptitiously inducing three-hour heart attacks in dogs and puppies before euthanizing them for further examination.
The research, carried out at St. Joseph’s Hospital in London, was shrouded in secrecy, with the animals reportedly brought into the facility in covered crates amid loud music to mask their sounds. The uproar prompted St. Joseph’s to suspend Prato’s research, following public outcry, including from Ontario’s Premier Doug Ford, who vowed to crack down on scientists conducting experiments on animals and proposed legislation to prohibit invasive medical research on cats and dogs.
Prato disputes claims that his work was clandestine, asserting that he began utilizing dogs to study post-heart attack scenarios at the hospital in 1982. He contends that the dogs, fully anesthetized during procedures, do not experience the same pain as humans during heart attacks, and emphasizes the potential of the dog model in advancing understanding of heart diseases and recovery processes.
An independent review by Western University’s Animal Care Committee in September and the Canadian Council on Animal Care in October found no evidence to support the allegations against Prato’s lab. The investigations, involving on-site inspections, record reviews, and interviews, concluded that the research did not cause heart failure in the dogs, and that the animals were pain-free during the studies.
Arthur Brown, chair of Western University’s ACC, stated that the research program adhered to approved protocols and regulations and had made substantial contributions to global clinical management of myocardial infarction patients. The dogs underwent extensive monitoring post-surgery, with regular veterinary care, socialization activities, and proper amenities.
Prato, expressing dismay at the potential halt in such research, highlighted the need to continue advancements in heart disease treatments. He explained that dogs were chosen for cardiac studies due to their physiological similarities to human hearts, particularly in terms of blood flow and cardiovascular response to heart attacks. Prato’s team would simulate heart attack conditions in the dogs to study the impact and recovery processes.
Despite the fallout affecting his professional and personal life, Prato remains focused on the implications for cardiac patients, emphasizing the importance of ongoing research in saving lives and addressing the ethical considerations surrounding animal testing in medical advancements.