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OCR for page 68
7
Conclusions and Recommendations
In our society, no single ideology or theology governs people's
mode of thinking. Different perspectives constitute the pillralistic
base of our thought. This society Is one that considers the ethics
of public policy—that is, the identification of the set of values that
places priorities on achieving what Is considered best for the common
good.
When decisions that affect the welfare of society are made, these
ethical considerations are vital. Lacking a single world view tied to a
specific religious or philosophical perspective, but believing in a need
for a framework within which to make decisions, our society seeks
to make policy decisions In science and all areas within an ethical
framework.
Try the Uniter] States, social decisions are Unposed not by au-
thorities but by the will of the people acting through elected repro
sentatives, whose responsibility it is to he" and consider differing
voices. We live in a society based on a spirit of liberty. We must
make public policy decisions within that spirit. III his address The
Spirit of I,iberty,~ Judge I,earned H=d acknowledged the difficulty
of defining the precise meaning of that term (Hand, 19603. Yet he
underscored an attitude of humility with which a free people must
make decisions when he said
The spirit of liberty is the spirit which is not too sure that it in right;
68
OCR for page 69
CONCLUSIONS AND }iECOMM=DATIONS
the spirit of liberty is the spirit which seeks to understand the minds
of other men and women; the spirit of liberty is the spirit which
weighs their interests alongside its own without bias....
69
III that context, persons with varying perspectives present their
convictions on the issue of the use of animal in research. A few
individual are opposed to any use of animate ~ research, while the
vast majority favor their appropriate and humane use.
We fee] that the majority is in fact correct. Our view is not
based only on an abstract desire for the advancement of science. It
also armes out of a concern for those who suffer from conditions such
as Alzhenner's dmease, schizophrenia, m~ic-depressive psychoses,
drug abuse, AIDS, cancer, spinal injuries, diabetes, and many other
diseases that ~ a result of research might be prevented, alleviated,
or cured.
Animal experimentation has enormously benefited humans, as
weD as animals, in the past and wiD continue to be necessary for
cImica] ant] basic research in the future. Indeed, there is no reason
to believe that animal experimentation will be less productive ~ the
future.
We are convinced that humans are morally obliged to each other
to better the human condition. ~ cases in which research with
animals ~ the best available method to reach that goal, animals
should be used. We also believe that scientists are ethically obliged
to ensure the welI-be~g of anunab in research and to m~nirruze their
pain en c! suffering.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The committee affirms the principle of humane care of ~ ani-
mals, including those used in research.
The committee recornmend~ that all those responsible for the
use and care of animals adhere to the principle that these animals be
treated humanely.
A large body of laws and regulations exists for the care and use
of animals In research in the United States and internationally. In
some countries, strict legislation has made it difficult to perform some
research and has reduced potential contributions to human welfare
through science. The committee believe it ~ necessary that laws
and regulations be balanced to ensure the availability of animals so
that research continues effectively. The present regulatory framework
OCR for page 70
70
USE OF LABORATORY ANIMALS
in the United States, if implemented properly, should meet current
societal and ethical expectations and permit knowledge to continue
to evolve with the appropriate balance between scientific and humane
goals.
~ The committee recommends that no acIditional laws or regu-
latory measures (excepting the regulations required by the Improved
Standards for Laboratory Animals Act of 1985) affecting the use
of animals In research be promulgated until, bred on experience,
a careful accounting of the effects of the application of the present
body of laws, regulations, and guidelines has been made and any
evidence of the need for more regulation is available.
When a number of new or revmed measures are introduced in a
short time, it Is possible that the measures will have an untoward]
effect on the performance of research using anunal~. Yet rules, once
in place, are difficult if not impossible to alter. The committee
believes that there must be a mechanism for ongoing review of these
measures to ensure that they not only protect anneals but permit
valid research to proceed.
The committee calls attention to one specific case. The Guide
for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animal was drafted originally
as a general guide for good practices in research, animal care, and
use of animals and was not meant to establish munimum standards.
Subsequently, the PHS adopted the Guide as required policy for all
PHS grantees. This gave the provisions of the Guide authority that
had not been intended when it was drafted.
~ The comrn~ttee recommends that there be a mechanism for
ongoing review of the regulatory framework of federal agencies for
animal experimentation. It is essential that research scientists who
must abide by this framework be prorn~nently involved in its =-
ses~ment. Specifically, the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory
Animals should be reviewed as soon as possible to determine whether
revisions are necessary due to changing conditions and new informa-
tion.
Institutions and individual investigators are unnecessarily bur-
dened and confused by the differing regulations and criteria imposed
by different federal agencies. The Interagency Research Animal Com-
mittee is attempting to correct this problem. Any attempt to reduce
the confusion caused by the multiple authorities responsible for set-
ting and enforcing regulations is useful:
OCR for page 71
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
71
. The committee recom~nends that federal standards developed
by different agencies for the care and use of laboratory animals be
congruent with each other.
Intentions can be effected only if the means exist to do so. Those
"means usually translate into more money. An inspection system
to enhance the protection of research animate must have available to
it funds to support adequate manpower and implementing structure.
Yet financial support for inspection purposes has been difficult to
obtain. Regulations that increase the cost of doing research for
example, the replacement of small cages with larger ones are ex-
pensive for research institutions. Yet funds for the rehabilitation of
existing facilities, for the creation of new ones, and for compliance
with new rules and regulations have decreased while the need for
them has increased.
It has been estimated that about $10 million annually are ret
quired for the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
to operate the inspection system mandated by the Animal Welfare
Act and that an estimated several hundred million dollars would be
required to mamtam and upgrade animal care facilities to comply
with the act.
The committee recognizes the fact that there is fierce compe-
tition for funds for the support of research at a tune when federal
expenditures for aD purposes, including research, are undergoing
close scrutiny. Still, as individuals, and as a group interested in both
the continuation of gratis research and the humane treatment of ani-
mate used In that research, the committee ~ concerned that neither
Of these awns can be reached unie" Mequate financial support is
provided.
The committee is also concerned that fiends not be diverted from
other support of research. Additional funds, not diverted funds, are
required to maintain the pace of biomedical Recoveries.
The committee recoTnmends that sufficient federal funds be
appropriated for the inspections required for the enforcement of the
Animal Welfare Act.
. The committee recommends that sufficient federal funds be
appropriated for maintenance and unprovement of animal facilities
to allow individuals and institutions to conduct animal research in
compliance with government policies, regulations, and laws. It is
important that such funds be added to ongoing research support.
The committee focused on animal use in research rather than in
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72
USE OF LABORATORY AN~ALS
testing or other areas. Large numbers of animals, however, are used
in testing for the toxicity of substances found in consumer products
such as food, drugs, and cosmetics. Such tests are prescribed by law
and are intended to protect consumers. Considerable effort is being
made to develop alternative testing methods.
The comrn~ttee recognizes the need to protect the public health
through testing. At the same time:
~ The committee recommends that federal regulatory agencies
move rapidly to accept tests as such tests become validated that
reduce the number of vertebrates used, insofar as this does not
compromise the regulatory mission of an agency and protection of
the public.
In many instances a specific animal or procedure is the best
or only system for performing research on a particular biological
process. In some instances, though, alternative methods may be
available that allow scientists to reduce the number of animals used,
replace mammalian models with nonmammalian models, and refine
experimental procedures to lessen any pain that animals may feel.
The committee has discussed these issues in Chapter 4 and refers
the reader to the National Research Council (1985b) report Modem
for Biomedical Research: A New Perspective and to the Office of
Technology Assessment (1986) report Alternatives to Animal Use in
Research, Testing, and Education for more information. Although
recognizing that in many instances no alternatives may exist:
.
The committee recommends that research investigators con-
sider possible alternative methods before using animals in experi-
mental procedures.
The National Library of Medicine, the National Agricultural Li-
brary, and other agencies have developed a number of databases and
bibliographic resources for searching the broader sources of biological
information.
. The committee recommends that databases and knowledge
bases be further developed and made available for those seeking
appropriate experimental models for use in the design of research
protocols.
Much of the controversy surrounding animal experimentation is
related to the use of animals from pounds. Many states and local
communities have restricted the use of such animals. The effect
OCR for page 73
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
73
of these restrictions has been to increase the cost of research for
scientists who have relied on that source of animals.
Persons who object to the use of pound animals for research re-
gard these animals as special because they may have been household
pets. Those who believe that pound anunals may be used pout to
the fact that over 10 million animus already are kiDed at pounds
each year, precluding their use in adding to scientific knowledge.
. The committee unanunously recommends that pound animals
be made available for research in which the experunental animus are
used in acute experunent~ fin which the anneals remain anesthetized
until killed). While a majority of the committee supports the appro-
priate use of pound animals in all experiments, a minority opposes
the use of pound animate for chronic, survival experiments.
OCR for page 74
Representative terms from entire chapter:
animal experimentation
