ETHICAl ISSUES IN ANIMAL RESEARCH

Dr. Sandhya Kamat

Dept. of Pharmacology & Therapeutics,

Seth G.S. Medical College & K.E.M. Hospital.
Why are animals used in research?

 Biologically similar to humans

 Shorter life cycle, can be studied throughout their lifespan across

many generations

 Easily maintained and bred in a controlled environment

Animals: a key to medical research
Provide new measures for the health and
welfare of humans
Solutions to many questions
only because of animal research

Use of monkeys in polio research.

Anti-hypertensives due to research on cats.

Successful kidney/organ transplants due to
research in dogs and rodents.
Current Uses of Laboratory animals

Preclinical Research
Regulatory Requirements

Quality Control Measures

Training

Demonstrations
Should Laboratory animals be used for
Research?
 The Scientist’s Viewpoint

Animals are not the only biosystem in use

If not animals then experiments in

humans under uncontrolled conditions
Animal research vital to medical progress

In vitro alternatives provide supplementary

information and work only as adjuncts
Certain life processes cannot be investigated
without involving whole animal systems
 The Animal Activist’s Viewpoint

Animals are exposed to too much suffering

Better alternatives than animal research

Superior human life does not confer the right to exploit inferior
order’s life
 The Philosopher’s Viewpoint

? Cost of animal research benefited mankind to

justify moral trespass

Human life has a value higher than other lives

The philosopher helps to bridge the gap between the scientists

and animal activists
The three differing viewpoints appear valid
and reasonable when seen separately

But a reconciliation is possible

if
a common goal for a common good
has to be achieved
 Milestones in Animal Welfare

1824 & 1865 - SPCA in England and USA

1871 - “The British Association for the Advancement of Science”
published guidelines for animal experimentation
1883 - American Antivivisection society came into existence
INDIA

1890 - Act preventing cruelty to animals implemented

1960 - “ The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act ”.
1998 - Breeding of and Experiments on Animals Rules
 Government of India
Under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960

CPCSEA
Committee for Purpose of Control and Supervision of Experiments on Animals

“Breeding of and Experiments on Animals Rules, 1998" amended in 2001 and

2006, to regulate experimentation on animals.

• Registration of animal establishments

l Animal Ethics Committee

Guidelines for laboratory animal facility

Power to suspend or revoke registration
 Animal Ethics Committee

Members
A biological scientist
2 scientists from different biological disciplines
Veterinary Doctor
Scientist in charge of the animal house
Main nominee ( Link nominee)
Scientist from outside the institute
Non scientific socially aware member
Animal Ethics Committee
Project proposal

Study rationale
Number of animals
Methodology - details of procedures
Species ( Procurement & transportation)
Trained personnel and veterinary care
Anaesthesia
Euthanasia
Animal Ethics Committee

Review of project

Is the animal study justified?

Is replacement, reduction or refinement possible ?
Is pain or suffering involved ?

Will survival surgery be done?

How will euthanasia be carried out?

 The 3 R’s in Animal Research

In 1926, Charles Hume, founded "UFAW” (Universities Federation for

Animal Welfare) to change the attitude of people to animals.
In 1959, he commissioned William Russell and Rex Burch to write,
“The Principles of Humane Experimental Technique”
Scientific excellence and humane use of lab animals are inextricably linked

Concept of "Three R’s "

Reduction Refinement Replacement

 The 3 R’s in Animal Research
Reduction

More data from a given number of animals

Minimum necessary animals
Collaborating with colleagues
Refinement
Methods to minimise pain/suffering
Laparoscopy, alteration in frequency & volume of dose
Improved instrumentation for monitoring animals
 The 3 R’s in Animal Research

Replacement

Methods that use organisms with limited sentience,

microorganisms, invertebrates

Improved information exchange

Mathematics and
computer models
Controlling Pain
?Environmental / behavioural strategies taken to
relieve pain & distress

Decreasing noise
Familiar environment
Separation

Gentle handling
Will survival surgery be carried out?
 Surgery in animals
• major survival
Surgery • minor survival
• non-survival

Major survival surgery

body cavity exposed or

impairment of physiological functions
e.g. laparotomy, joint replacement

Carried out under anaesthesia

 Surgery in animals

Minor survival surgery

no exposure of body cavity and

little or no physical impairment

e.g. wound suturing; peripheral-vessel cannulation

Administration of analgesics
 Surgery in animals
Non-survival surgery

Animal euthanatized before

recovery from anaesthesia

Not necessary to follow aseptic techniques

 Anaesthesia /Analgesia
If survival surgery is to be carried out,
which anaesthetics and analgesics will be used ?

Use of anaesthetic or analgesic is based upon

 species and the age of the animal
 the type and degree of pain
 the effect of an agent on specific organ systems
 length of the operative procedure
 the safety of an agent for an animal
 Euthanasia
Act of killing animals by inducing
rapid unconsciousness & death
without pain or distress.

 At the end of the study procedure

 Relieve severe pain or distress

Barbiturates & inhalant anaesthetics are preferable

to physical methods
 Euthanasia
Procedure

Painless + Rapid
Reliable and non-reversible
Should cause minimum psychological stress
Carried out in a separate room as animals
recognise sound and smell

Skilled personnel

Trained Personnel should confirm death

 To Conclude…..

Using animals for research activities is a privilege, not a right!

A scientist or an institution can lose this privilege if the ethical

responsibilities are not satisfied.
Thank you