Care and use of animals in biomedical research

Pre-survey  1. List the major things you know or have heard about the use of animals in biomedical research. (list 3)  2. Write any questions you have concerning the use of animals in biomedical research.

True or False ( place a B with the letter) 1.People and animals benefit from animal research. 2.The animals most commonly used for research are cats and dogs. 3.Scientists must follow strict rules and guidelines to use animals for research. 4.Laboratory animals suffer pain and distress. 5.Most laboratory animals are from pounds and animal shelters and might be missing pets. 6.It is wrong to use animals for research. 7.People are not used as subjects for medical research. 8.Researchers care about the animals they use in their work. 9.Specially trained individuals work in research laboratories specifically to care for animals. 10.Research with animals has produced many medical advances that would not have been achieved otherwise. 11.Most animal research is unnecessary; the same things could be learned by using computers or other nonanimal methods. 12.A career as a medical researcher or a laboratory veterinarian would be rewarding and fulfilling.

Caring for Life

Post- Survey  Go back to question 1 in pre-survey; has your mind changed about any of the things you listed? If so, what led you to make a change?  Return to question 2; were any of your questions answered? If not, which ones?

True or False ( place an A with the letter) 1.People and animals benefit from animal research. 2.The animals most commonly used for research are cats and dogs. 3.Scientists must follow strict rules and guidelines to use animals for research. 4.Laboratory animals suffer pain and distress. 5.Most laboratory animals are from pounds and animal shelters and might be missing pets. 6.It is wrong to use animals for research. 7.People are not used as subjects for medical research. 8.Researchers care about the animals they use in their work. 9.Specially trained individuals work in research laboratories specifically to care for animals. 10.Research with animals has produced many medical advances that would not have been achieved otherwise. 11.Most animal research is unnecessary; the same things could be learned by using computers or other nonanimal methods. 12.A career as a medical researcher or a laboratory veterinarian would be rewarding and fulfilling.

Why Use Animals?  Americans keep more than 170 million animals as pets (cats, dogs, birds, horses, etc.)  More than 9 billion are consumed.  About 26 million used for research. Unit II-2.3

 In research, animals used to learn more about biological systems and the illnesses that afflict humans and other animals.  Some animals have biological similarities to humans that make them good models for specific diseases; rats for cancer, rabbits for atherosclerosis, and monkeys for polio.  Biological information obtained through research has unlocked secrets of genetics, shed light on the workings of the brain, and made it possible to understand new diseases.

Animals used because………. Not ethical to test substances or drugs with unknown and potentially adverse side effects on humans. Controlled experiments necessitate introducing only one variable at a time. Animals are easily controlled in a lab setting. No substitute for the living systems necessary to study interaction among cells, tissues, and organs. Shorter life spans enable scientist to study shorter time spans.

Care of Animals

Who?  Technicians take care of the animals; act like their nurses.  Technicians are trained in 2-4 college programs.  Check on the health and environment of animals daily.  May mean checking heat, humidity, noise, light, chemicals, and/ or detergents.  Some take blood samples, do x-rays, give medications, assist in surgery, and/ or provide post surgery care.

Veterinarian  Supervises all technicians  Generally specializes in laboratory animal medicine or related area.  Has to go through extensive training to qualify for certification as a specialist. Has to maintain certification.  Responsible for monitoring all animals’ care and examining when ill.

Certification  AALAS – American association for Laboratory Animal Science  USDA – United States Department of Agriculture  FDA – Food and Drug Administration  EPA – Environmental Protection Agency  CPSC – Consumer Product Safety Commission  OSHA – Occupational Safety and Health Administration  WHO – World Health Organization  PETA – People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals

Laws  AWA – Animal Welfare Act: law 1966; applies to all public and private research facilities.  Species covered are determined by the USDA: include currently guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, rabbits, dogs, cats, nonhuman primates, marine mammals, farm animals, and warm-blooded wild animals.  Facilities must register with USDA and comply with regulations.  USDA is REQUIRED to inspect annually, unannounced to ensure compliance.  1985 amendment to AWA requires facilities to establish an IACUC (Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee)

Voluntary Standards  1965 – independent, peer review accreditation program under AAALAC (American Association for Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care).  Promotes high standards of care of animal care through periodic inspections of facilities that exceed existing laws and regulations.

Animals Used  95% Rats and Mice  2% rabbits, guinea pigs, and hamsters  0.25% Dogs  0.25% Monkeys (Primates)  0.08% cats

Milestones in Research