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Common Myths About Biomedical Research
Contents:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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