“Viral scents? Dogs sniff out coronavirus in human sweat”
Trinity Mathis
Picture Source: https://www.euronews.com/2020/05/21/release-the-hounds-uk-deploys-dogs-to-sniff-out-coronavirus
Dogs are highly intelligent and have increible senses. Now, they are being trained to sniff out COVID-19 in individuals. People infected with COVID-19 have a distinct smell in their sweat, something humans can’t detect but dogs can. Dominique Grandjean, a researcher at France’s National Veterinary School and his team were one of the first set of people to test this out. After taking sweat samples from COVID patients and non infected patients, results showed that the eight dogs used in the study could identify COVID-19. After multiple trials, it was reported that half of the shepherds had perfect scores, and even the “worst” performing one only got a score of 8/10. Researchers used a special mechanism using steel cones and a glass jar as a safety measure. Although the results from the study have not been peer reviewed, researchers around the world have reported similar results. However, a research group in Germany has received criticism because instead of using sweat samples to train the dogs, they are using salvia samples. They are still using the steel cone/glass jar mechanism, however some affirm using the sweat samples is much safer.
https://www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/article/dogs-sniff-out-coronavirus-human-sweat
Do you believe that this method is truly accurate? What are your concerns?
Considering we don’t know much about how COVID-19 affects dogs specifically, what are your thoughts? Do you think there are ethical issues involved?
There has always been a huge debate when it comes to using animals in experiments. Would you consider this animal testing, and if so/not, why?
Thank you for sharing, this is a very interesting topic. I believe that the dogs can detect COVID-19, however, I would be more weary of the accuracy compared to COVID-19 tests as there is a higher chance for error with this method. I have read some articles about dogs being able to smell cancer, therefore, this is not unprecedented. I believe that although dogs are being used in this experiment this is not too risky if precautions are taken.
ReplyDeleteCarissa Bersche
This is really cool, I don't know if I would call it 100 percent animal testing, however, I do think its still can be grouped in with animal testing but a less extreme very mild version. I think as long as their is strict regulation and overviewing to keep the dogs safe I don't have a problem with it
ReplyDelete-Angeline Upchurch
DeleteYes, I completely agree. I personally wouldn´t consider it animal testing but I could see why someone would. Like you said, if they take precautions and safety measures to protect the dogs, I don´t really have an issue with it either, but I don´t like how they were using the sweat samples in Germany. Thanks for sharing your thoughts! -Trinity Mathis
DeleteThis is actually really cool! I don't think this is animal testing, but I think it's messed up to make the dogs sniff saliva. I agree that sweat should be used if it's safer. If we trust dogs to sniff and find drugs why not Covid. I've ever heard stories of dogs being able to tell when their owner has cancer.
ReplyDeleteI think this is animal testing but it's not inhumane because they aren't being harmed. I wonder how reliable this method of testing can be, however, and I feel like we should just stick to the tests we already have.
ReplyDelete-Shirin Saha
i do believe the method could be accurate granted how strong a dogs sense of smell is, if dogs are able to get an suffer from covid it could do a lot more harm than help however, ethically it would be okay if dogs were unable to contract the virus. - Nathan Clark
ReplyDeleteI could definitely see why this could be under animal testing, although I think that as long as these animals arent getting hurt and are getting taken care of properly I think that this type of testing is alright. This testing is like that of when you train animals to be medical dogs for detecting blood sugar levels or panic attacks.
ReplyDelete-Raquel Morgens
I do believe this is accurate but my concerns the dogs. If the dogs are finding out who has COVID-19 would the dog be in good hands and not harmed in any way. I think this is a very good topic and good presentation.
ReplyDelete