Photo:
Marmoset triplets at the Wisconsin
Primate Research Center. (Photo copyright 1999 Jordana Lenon.)
See
our marmosets on the Callicam!
CAREERS:
Jordana Lenon, B.S. '84 UW-Madison, Life Sciences Communications
Before and during college, I worked for my Dad, a pediatrician in Brookfield, WI, and at the Milwaukee County Zoo. After college, I worked as a daily newspaper reporter in Rock Springs, Wyoming. More recently, I worked as a science writer and editor, and in photography and design for the Sea Grant Institute, Wisconsin DNR, UW-Extension Publications, and UW Hospital and Clinics. I have been public information officer at the Primate Center for six years. I love the writing, working with the media and visitors, and learning more about people's experiences and beliefs. My experience is that, by far, most people support progress in medical research using animals and know we treat our animals well. Others are more comfortable with certain studies using animals, but not with others. Still others are against it no matter what we say or do, or how much we improve animal care and develop adjunct methodologies. Most animal rights activists I talk to do not argue the medical advances. Rather they state they are against using animals on ethical, philosophical or religious grounds. They wish there was a better way. Often there is, but animal models like those we use at the Primate Center are still necessary to answer basic biological questions that lead to vaccines and therapies. With rising rates of infectious diseases around the globe, we simply can't give up on the progress we have made through biomedical research—on studies and trials using both people and animals.
Medical research, most of it involving animals along some major step
of the way, is critical. It saves lives, and it's the law. I always tell
people to write to their Congressional senators and representatives to
air their views or concerns if they haven't done so already. I also suggest
that concerned students consider careers in science, science writing, animal
welfare, veterinary medicine or a host of related disciplines if they want
to work directly with laboratory animals and scientists to help bring about
change. Protests and terrorism in the name of animal rights—which means
stopping all use of animals for anything, even to develop medicines for
pets, or keeping pets at all for that matter—does nothing to help either
animals or people suffering from diseases. One of my most vivid recollections
was watching an Animal Liberation Front video that was later released to
the media. Self-proclaimed ALF members were shown breaking into cages,
removing cats, and placing them in large plastic containers. Only it was
clear from the video that the "rescuers" neglected to punch air holes in
the lids of the containers. God save us all from people like this if this
is how they show their concern for animals.
Jordana Lenon, mezzo-soprano, B.A. '94 UW-Madison School of Music
Resume: UW-Madison Choral Union and Chamber Orchestra soloist,
Nov. 19, 1996; University Club of Milwaukee, "An Evening in Paris," Sept.
16, 2000. Beco Fino Ristaurante, Milwaukee, "Night of the Truffle," Nov.
1, 2000. Elvehjem Art Museum Exhibit Opening, Madison, "Italy: In the Shadow
of Time," Dec. 15, 2000. Falstaff with Madison Opera, May 4-6, 2001. Also
radio, TV, community theatre roles; private voice lessons and weddings.
Jordana Lenon, wife, mother, housekeeper... do I have enough to do yet?
My personal wish: That more people will come to see that there are usually more than two sides to any issue.
Thanks for visiting! You can e-mail me at: jlenon@primate.wisc.edu
Last updated: March 2003