Ethics of Animal Use in Research and Teaching

Rules and Regulations

The primary responsibility when working with animals is to treat them humanely.

Questionable Animal Research 1: Foot shock induced aggression

• Mild footshock to paired rats results in fighting

• Used to study effects of hormones, temperature, drugs.

• Justified?

Questionable Animal Research 2: Parabiosis

• Surgical means to create conjoined twins

• Used for behavioral endocrinology

Questionable Animal Research 3: Harry Harlow & monkey love

• Tested food versus contact comfort

• Important for adopted children

• Animal rights movement is a reaction to his research

1905-19812 min: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fg9QCeA4FJs

AWAAnimal Welfare Act

• 1966, amended in most recently in 2007

• Regulates use of dogs, cats, hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits, farm animals, marine mammals, and non-human primates in research and teaching (rats, mice, and birds are currently not regulated, but probably will be in the near future).

• The regulations cover the procurement, handling, treatment, and transportation of these animals.

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AWA enforcement

• Enforced by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) – Unannounced annual on-site inspections– Inspects all facilities, relevant records, and

documentation– Progressive series of disciplinary actions for

non-compliance, including citations, warning, fines, court orders, loss of registration

IACUCInstitutional Animal Care and Use Committee

• Reviews animal use proposals

• Conducts semi-annual inspections of animal facilities

• Investigates concerns about animal care and use

• Can suspend research or teaching activities when a major violation has occurred

IACUC membership

• A veterinarian who is certified in laboratory animal medicine.

• At least one practicing scientist who is experienced with research and training involving animals.

• A least one member of the public to represent general community interests in the proper care and use of animals.

Role of IACUC

• To protect animal welfare.

• To protect the University.

• To assist in maintenance of a productive research environment.

• To utilize peer review in evaluation of protocols and inspection of animal facilities.

Animal Care and Use Protocols• Rationale and purpose of the proposed use

of animals.• Justification of the need to use animals,

the species of animal chosen and the number of animals requested.

• Adequacy of training and experience of personnel.

• Housing and care of animals.• Pain and distress• Method of disposition of the animals at

the end of the study.

Justification and Use of Animals

The Three R’s• Legislated by the AWA• Replacement

– Substitution of other models for animals (or substitution of a less sentient species for a more sentient one)

• Can the hypothesis be tested or the training be done with cell cultures, computer simulations, or other non-animal system?

• Reduction– What is the minimum number of animals that can still yield statistically

valid outcomes?• Can you work with a statistician to determine this?

• Refinement– What efforts are being made to eliminate or minimize animal pain and

distress?• Anesthesia, analgesia and alternate experimental design must be considered.

Societal Decision (Pros)

Benefits to Humans• Vaccines• Antibiotics• Medical procedures• Space travel

• Benefits to Animals

Hair Analysis

• Some rhesus monkeys exhibit self-abusive behavior (SIB)• Cortisol, a stress hormone, levels were examined in

monkeys

Davenport et al. (2008). Biological Psychiatry, 63, 990-996.

Societal Decision (Cons)

• Similarity to Humans – Chemistry

– Anatomy

– Pain?

• Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care – This is a volunteer organization that works with research

organizations to ensure the highest standards of animal care and use.

– They emphasize appropriate veterinary care, in-depth oversight by IACUC, protection of the health of animals.

– Full accreditation by AAALAC considered one of the best professional achievements in the field of lab animal care

Non-government Organizations• AALAS

– American Assoc. for Lab Animal Science

• AAALAC– Association for the Assessment and

Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care

• ASLAP– American Society of Lab Animal

Practitioners• ACLAM

– American College of Lab Animal Medicine

• SCAW– Scientists Center for Animal Welfare

• PRIMR– Public Responsibility In Medicine and

Research

• NABR– National Assoc for Biomedical

Research• FBR

– Foundation for Biomedical Research

• ILAR– Institute of Lab Animal Resources

• AWIC– Animal Welfare Info Center

• ARENA– Applied Research Ethics National

Association• CAAT

– Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing

The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals

• Describes institutional responsibilities for animal care and use

• Provides guidelines for designing and operating an animal care program

Summary

• AWA (R-R-R)