Birke, Arluke, and Michael explore the ways in which the identities of scientists, the public, and the animals used in experiments construct and depend upon each other. Coverage includes an overview of biomedical research and laboratory animals--how different kinds of animals first entered the lab, and how that is tied up with cultural change, public expectations, and changes in scientific practices; how the human practitioners of science--the researchers and technicians--make sense of what they do, particularly within their own communities; and the "public relations" work of researchers, including how they argue their case to wider constituencies and participate in debates over animal experimentation. Academic but accessible to the interested general reader. The authors' credentials are not stated. Annotation ©2007 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)