Common Myths About Biomedical Research
Contents:
- Most research animals come from animal pounds.
- The animals obtained from pounds are people's pets.
- Alternative research methods can replace the use of animals in biomedical research.
- Much research with animals is unnecessary.
- People choose careers in biomedical research because it is an easy way to receive funding dollars and high salaries.
- Most research animals are dogs and cats.
- There are no laws or regulations protecting laboratory animals.
- Laboratory animals suffer great pain and distress.
- Researchers are indifferent to the well-being of laboratory animals.
MYTH: Most research animals come from animal pounds.
FACT: Dogs and cats are but a small fraction of research animal models. The majority of these come from pounds and shelters. However, the vast majority of research animals -- over 90 percent (e.g. rats, mice and fish) are bred specifically for laboratory use.
Pound-derived dogs and cats comprise only a tiny percentage of all animals used in biomedical research and education programs in Canada and the U.S. Approximately 1 percent of the millions of unwanted animals that are otherwise put to death in pounds and shelters each year are released for research on health problems such as heart and kidney disease, brain injury, stroke, blindness and deafness, and for the education of future veterinarians and physicians.
MYTH: The animals obtained from pounds and shelters are people's pets.
FACT: These animals that are used for research and education are not people's pets.
They are unwanted animals whose owners have not claimed them or for which adoptive homes cannot be found, and that will otherwise be put to death. Research and educational institutions acquire them either directly from pounds or through licensed dealers. Researchers must also submit official applications - following detailed legal procedures - in order to be approved for obtaining any pound animal for research purposes.
MYTH: Alternative research methods can replace the use of animals in medical research.
FACT: There are no real alternatives to animal research, only adjunct methodologies.
While no reliable alternative to animals exists as yet for the testing of new medications and products, biomedical researchers continue to explore all possible avenues to minimize the need for testing on live animals. There are some non-animal methods currently in use which allow toxicologists and other researchers to reduce (but not eliminate) the number of animals which must be used in testing.
These methods allow researchers to pursue "The Three R's":
REDUCTION is used to refer to the use of fewer animals than previously used to obtain the same amount of (or more) information. Sharing research animals or improving statistical methods to allow the use of fewer animals are examples of reduction alternatives.
REFINEMENT means alteration of existing procedures to minimize the discomfort they cause to the animals. Use of new, more effective analgesics or closer monitoring for signs of pain are examples of refinements.
REPLACEMENT means the use of research methods or models that do not use animals instead of methods that do. Computer modelling or cell and tissue culture techniques are examples of replacement.
While always keeping in mind the "Three R's," biomedical researchers use a variety of research methods in the testing of drugs and other compounds. These include biological models (such as cell and tissue cultures), non-biological techniques (such as mathematical and computer modelling), instrumental methods (such as spectroscopy and chromatography), as well as animal models. However, researchers must choose the appropriate method for the types of problems to be solved. Usually, the process involves a combination of research techniques.
In the course of medical investigation, researchers have developed many valuable non-animal research models. They are useful in some types of research, and can often supplement work with live animals. Adjunct methods such as cell and tissue culture, for example, help identify the potential toxicity or medical benefits of chemical compounds in the early stages of investigation. But compounds must also be tested on living systems -- made up of interrelated organs and organ systems -- before they can be tried in human beings. These adjunct methodologies cannot reproduce the intact biological systems provided by animal models, and their isolated results may bear little relation to the integrated results of intact living systems.
MYTH: Much research with animals is unnecessary.
FACT: Research animals are never used unnecessarily. Aside from humane concerns, there are strong economic pressures against the unnecessary use of laboratory animals or any other research resources. There are only limited funds available for study of the wide range of human health problems that require research. Funding agencies, therefore, must restrict support to those studies that will lead to new knowledge of the body and greater understanding of the cause, cure and prevention of diseases.
Repetition of some experiments must occur for a variety of scientific reasons. The validation of data is critical to minimize or discover potential error. Experiments must be repeated to account for even the slightest change in variables such as dosage, temperature and weight.
MYTH: People choose careers in animal research because it is an easy way to receive funding dollars and high salaries.
FACT: Most researchers could make more money in other careers. People choose to go into research because they want to help people, and find answers to complicated questions. Animal research is often a vital step in finding the answers. In reality, research dollars are scarce and are becoming more so, with approximately two-thirds of all worthy projects that seek grant money going unfunded.
Animal research itself is and will continue to be very costly. Making sure animals are housed, fed, watered and appropriately cared for requires technical and veterinary staff dedicated to the science of laboratory animal medicine.
Animal research is vital to continued progress in science and human and animal health. The payoff for animal researchers is not money but the treatments and cures that benefit both humans and animals.
MYTH: Most research animals are dogs and cats.
FACT: Nearly 45% of the animals used in medical research are rodents (such as rats and mice), over 35% are fish, and 12% are birds. Dogs and cats account for less than 1% of the total. Many people also believe that monkeys and other non-human primates are used in great numbers. But, they, too, represent less than 1% of all research animals.
MYTH: There are no laws or regulations protecting laboratory animals.
FACT: In many countries there are extremely specific laws and regulations. In Canada, for example, we have:
Criminal Code of Canada:
The Criminal Code of Canada, Cruelty to Animals Section, forbids "causing unnecessary suffering." It is an offence to willfully cause, or - being an owner - willfully permit to be caused unnecessary pain, suffering or injury to an animal or bird.
Canadian Council on Animal Care:
This is a national peer-review organization (as opposed to legislation), co-funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC) and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC). CCAC assessment panels evaluate animal care and use in Canadian universities and community colleges, government laboratories, and commercial laboratories. An in-depth site visit is performed every three years. Follow-up visits may be made, announced or unannounced. If institutions are found to be in non-compliance with CCAC guidelines, all granting agencies and relevant government ministries and departments are notified. Non-compliance will jeopardize research funds.
The Animals for Research Act:
This legislation deals with the procurement and/or use of laboratory animals. The Act is complementary with the CCAC, and it requires the annual registration of all research facilities in Ontario. Inspectors conduct unannounced inspections of any premises on which animals used in research are maintained. This includes not only animal quarters, but the laboratories and procedure rooms where animals are used.
The inspectors look at the housing of animals; the facilities (floors, walls, doors, windows, lights, etc.); water, food, type and size of caging; temperature, humidity and ventilation; cleanliness; animal identification; animal records; health programs; animal use protocols; the use of anesthesia and analgesia; and the methods of euthanasia and disposal. If animal care or use does not meet the standards as laid out in the Animals for Research Act, the inspectors can recommend hearings to refuse, refuse to renew, or revoke the facility registration. This would make it impossible to carry out any research. Criminal charges can be laid for contravention. Penalties can be a jail term up to six months, and/or a fine of up to $5000.
MYTH: Laboratory animals suffer great pain and distress.
FACT: Most medical research does not result in pain or significant distress to the animals. For example, a U.S. survey of research facilities released in 1985 by the U.S.D.A. showed that the majority of experiments using animal subjects (62%) involve no pain for the animal. In another 32% of the studies, the animals feel no pain because they receive anaesthesia and/or pain-killing drugs. In a few experiments (6%), anaesthesia and pain-killers must be withheld because they would obscure the results of the research. An example of such research is the study of pain itself.
As a rule, valid and useful scientific findings are obtainable only when research animals are healthy and protected from undue stress.
MYTH: Researchers are indifferent to the well-being of laboratory animals.
FACT: Responsible researchers are concerned about the condition of the laboratory animals they study. Such concern arises from both humane and scientific considerations. Good science and good animal care are inseparable. Scientists cannot afford to mistreat research animals, and accusations of animal abuse are rarely substantiated by the facts. To be a good research subject, the animal must be adequately fed and housed and kept free of any disease other than the one that may be under investigation. Poor care and treatment will reduce the reliability of the results of the study, something researchers must prevent.
Other myths about biomedical research exist. Get the facts!
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