The American Health Institute seeks to balance the participation of both sexes in their research

2014/05/15 Galarraga Aiestaran, Ana - Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Anatomia/Fisiologia
• Biologia
• Medikuntza

In animal research, the American Health Institute (NIH) will require both sexes to be adequately represented. In fact, it is increasingly evident that women are excluded from health, and one of their indicators is that most of the animals used in medical research are males, even when the drugs they are testing are for women. Therefore, it is no surprise that women have more side effects and more serious than men.

However, the scientific journal Nature has announced that the NIH will take a step towards changing this situation. Specifically, the NIH subsidized investigations will require an adequate participation of both sexes. That is, in principle, the participation of both sexes should be balanced and, if it is uneven, the researchers should reason why male animals and females are not in the same proportion.

In addition to animal research, the measure will also affect those made with cells. In fact, in Nature itself it is mentioned that “too many times” we do not take into account the sex of cell lines in in vitro studies. However, the cells of males and females do not respond equally to chemical and microbial agents. For example, in neurology it is evident that the appearance of diseases is different in women and men, since female neurons (XX) and male neurons (XY) also show a differentiated response to certain excitants.

According to the NIH, in October these measures that seek equality in medical studies will be launched, but the intention to take new steps has also been announced.