Legislation
And The
Future Of Animal Research Experts from across the field of animal experimentation gathered at a seminar to discuss the potential impact of EU legislation on animal research policy in the UK. Eight speakers considered legal, scientific and political factors that influence trends and looked in particular at the question of animal pain and distress. Among the speakers was solicitor David Thomas, who has been involved with several animal protection organisations including the RSPCA and Compassion in World Farming. He said that suffering of laboratory animals is a key point in public views on research. “Opinion polls show that that is what the public is most exercised about. The greater the suffering, the greater the concern. Even if people support animal
experiments, they expect suffering to be kept as low as possible.” It is also central to regulations, he stressed, but warned that many campaigners are concerned that restrictions are not properly considered or implemented. “Many campaigners believe that the Home Office routinely fails to regulate severity properly – by asking itself the wrong legal questions, by underestimating severity (for example, by failing to take into account psychological distress) and by assuming that there is an appropriate care regime in place when there is not.” Head of the Animals in Science Regulation Unit at the Home Office Judy MacArthur Clark told the meeting that animal research can be
managed through regulations, but only up to a point. It is often more effective to develop a culture of care among those responsible for the research and expecting individuals involved to act responsibly. “Individuals must accept responsibility for what they do and work within an environment in which individual accountability is an expectation.” Other speakers said that economic drivers could have a big impact on the future of animal research because it is not only of limited effectiveness, it is also expensive. The meeting was held as part of a series called “Animals, Ethics and Public Policy” and was arranged by the Centre for Animals and Social Justice (CASJ).
More details of the speakers and their talks can be found online at http://www.casj.org.uk/news/exploring-future-uk-animal-experimentation/
Minister stresses Three Rs support A Home Office minister has stressed the Government’s commitment to the Three Rs in a written statement to Parliament. Lord Taylor of Holbeach made the announcement when the annual statistics on Scientific Procedures on Living Animals were issued. He described the use of animals in scientific research as a ‘small but essential function’ in investigating medical conditions and developing new drugs and treatments. But he went on to say that replacing animals in laboratories, reducing the numbers needed for research, and minimising the suffering
for those that are still used, were priorities. He said: “Scientific advances in knowledge and new technologies present significant opportunities to replace animal use, reduce the use of animals, and, where animal use is unavoidable, to refine the procedures involved so as to minimise suffering (Three Rs). It is key that we take these opportunities to ensure that replacement, refinement and reduction in the use of animals is integral to conducting animal research recognising that this not about baseline numbers.” The Home Office is the regulatory authority for the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, as amended by European Directive 2010/63/EU.
New Italian Law The Italian Lower House of Parliament has passed new restrictions on the use of animals in research, testing and teaching, which include a ban on all animal tests on substances of abuse. As well as recreational drugs, the ban covers alcohol and tobacco, and it includes research on addiction. The changes also prevent future breeding of dogs, cats and primates with intent to use them in laboratories. FRAME News October 2013
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