Michael Balls
Encyclopedia
Michael Balls, CBE
, is a British
zoologist and professor emeritus of medical cell biology at Nottingham University. He is best known for his work on laboratory animal welfare
and alternatives to animal testing
.
from Oxford at the University of Geneva Switzerland
between 1961 and 1964. After post-doctoral research at the University of California
, Berkeley, CA, and at Reed College
, Portland, OR, from 1964 to 1966, he lectured in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of East Anglia
. In 1975, he moved to the University of Nottingham Medical School as a senior lecturer in the Department of Human Morphology. Balls became Reader in Medical Cell Biology in 1985 and was promoted to Professor of Medical Cell Biology in 1990. Since 1995, he has been an Emeritus Professor at Nottingham.
Balls became a Trustee of Fund for the Replacement of Animals in Medical Experiments
(FRAME) in 1979, has been Chairman of the Trustees since 1981 and Editor of Alternatives to Laboratory Animals (ATLA) since 1983.
He acted as an adviser to the British government during the drafting and passage of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986
and, from 1987–1995, was a founder member of the Animal Procedures Committee
(which advises the Home Secretary
on all matters related to animal experimentation).
In 1993, Balls became the first Head of the European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods. He retired from this position in 2002.
In 2002, Balls was appointed a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.
He is the father of politician Ed Balls
.
CBE
CBE and C.B.E. are abbreviations for "Commander of the Order of the British Empire", a grade in the Order of the British Empire.Other uses include:* Chemical and Biochemical Engineering...
, is a British
British people
The British are citizens of the United Kingdom, of the Isle of Man, any of the Channel Islands, or of any of the British overseas territories, and their descendants...
zoologist and professor emeritus of medical cell biology at Nottingham University. He is best known for his work on laboratory animal welfare
Animal welfare
Animal welfare is the physical and psychological well-being of animals.The term animal welfare can also mean human concern for animal welfare or a position in a debate on animal ethics and animal rights...
and alternatives to animal testing
Alternatives to animal testing
Many scientists and governments say that animal testing should cause as little suffering as possible, and some argue that alternatives to animal testing need to be developed...
.
Biography
Balls studied zoology at Oxford University, graduating with a first in 1960. He conducted research for a DPhilPh.D.
A Ph.D. is a Doctor of Philosophy, an academic degree.Ph.D. may also refer to:* Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*Piled Higher and Deeper, a web comic strip*PhD: Phantasy Degree, a Korean comic series* PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
from Oxford at the University of Geneva Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
between 1961 and 1964. After post-doctoral research at the University of California
University of California
The University of California is a public university system in the U.S. state of California. Under the California Master Plan for Higher Education, the University of California is a part of the state's three-tier public higher education system, which also includes the California State University...
, Berkeley, CA, and at Reed College
Reed College
Reed College is a private, independent, liberal arts college located in southeast Portland, Oregon. Founded in 1908, Reed is a residential college with a campus located in Portland's Eastmoreland neighborhood, featuring architecture based on the Tudor-Gothic style, and a forested canyon wilderness...
, Portland, OR, from 1964 to 1966, he lectured in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of East Anglia
University of East Anglia
The University of East Anglia is a public research university based in Norwich, United Kingdom. It was established in 1963, and is a founder-member of the 1994 Group of research-intensive universities.-History:...
. In 1975, he moved to the University of Nottingham Medical School as a senior lecturer in the Department of Human Morphology. Balls became Reader in Medical Cell Biology in 1985 and was promoted to Professor of Medical Cell Biology in 1990. Since 1995, he has been an Emeritus Professor at Nottingham.
Balls became a Trustee of Fund for the Replacement of Animals in Medical Experiments
Fund for the Replacement of Animals in Medical Experiments
Fund for the Replacement of Animals in Medical Experiments ' is a charity based in Nottingham, UK.FRAME promotes consideration of the ethical and scientific issues involved in the use of laboratory animals for medical research, and the adoption of the Three Rs strategy of alternatives to animal...
(FRAME) in 1979, has been Chairman of the Trustees since 1981 and Editor of Alternatives to Laboratory Animals (ATLA) since 1983.
He acted as an adviser to the British government during the drafting and passage of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986
Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986
The Animals Act 1986 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom passed in 1986, which regulates the use of laboratory animals in the UK. The Act permits experiments to be carried out on animals, including procedures involving vivisection, if certain criteria are met...
and, from 1987–1995, was a founder member of the Animal Procedures Committee
Animal Procedures Committee
The Animal Procedures Committee advises the British Home Secretary on matters related to animal testing in the UK. The function of the committee was made a statutory requirement by the Animals Act 1986 , which mandates that it should have at least 12 members, excluding the chair...
(which advises the Home Secretary
Home Secretary
The Secretary of State for the Home Department, commonly known as the Home Secretary, is the minister in charge of the Home Office of the United Kingdom, and one of the country's four Great Offices of State...
on all matters related to animal experimentation).
In 1993, Balls became the first Head of the European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods. He retired from this position in 2002.
In 2002, Balls was appointed a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.
He is the father of politician Ed Balls
Ed Balls
Edward Michael Balls, known as Ed Balls, is a British Labour politician, who has been a Member of Parliament since 2005, currently for Morley and Outwood, and is the current Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer....
.