Chapter 3 Hazardous materials
School Science Laboratory Safety Regulations
3.2.8. NACLAR guidelines on the use of vertebrate animals a.
The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) has introduced licensing requirements to regulate the care and use of animals for research. From 15 November 2004, the Animals and Birds (Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes) Rules came into effect requiring any research facility that uses animals for scientific purposes to apply for a licence from AVA. The research facility must comply with Guidelines set by the National Advisory Committee for Laboratory Animal Research (NACLAR) before being issued a licence. The Guidelines cover all live fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals.
b.
Schools are not licensed to deal with a large number of animals used frequently for testing. If and when students work on investigations involving animals, they are to do so in the context of participation in the Singapore Science & Engineering Fair or attachments to universities or A*STAR research institutes. >? these cases, the projects would have to be reviewed and approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC).
c.
Schools should raise the awareness of staff and students to the importance of care, concern and respect for animal life as provided in the NACLAR Guidelines. The philosophy of the Guidelines is for careful and due consideration to be given to the care and use of animals for scientific purposes. The following will be important points for schools to note: i.
The purpose of and responsible purposes.
ii.
The key is to always examine whether there is a justifiable scientific purpose and value for using animals. The following "3 R'I" Principles of the NACLAR guidelines are useful to note: • •
the Guidelines is to promote the humane care and use of animals for scientific
R e pl ac e the need for animal use by alternative means. R e d uc e the number of animals used to an unavoidable minimum.
•
R efi n e investigation procedures to minimise the impact on animals.
For more information on the NACLAR please Guidelines, refer to the Internet site maintained by AVA. The site can be accessed via the hyperlink at: http://intranet.moe.gov.sg/science/labsafety/labsafety.htm
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