Commitment to Responsible Treatment
How does SOT promote responsible use of animals?
Position
on Use of Animals—The
Society of Toxicology
(SOT) is a professional and scholarly organization of 5,000 scientists from
academic institutions, government and industry representing the great variety
of scientists practicing toxicology in the U.S. and around the world. The
Society is dedicated to supporting the creation of sound scientific information
that reduces uncertainty in assessing risks to human health and the environment.
Reducing uncertainty in risk assessment benefits everyone through improved
decision-making that protects the health of people, animals and their environment.
The SOT believes that animal research is necessary for the protection of
humans and other organisms (see "Position Statement
Regarding the Use of Animals in Toxicology"), and that the welfare
of research animals is of paramount importance.
All applicants for
membership in the Society must indicate that they will abide by the SOT
Code of Ethics,
which states that members will "observe the spirit as well as the letter
of law, regulations and ethical standards with regard to the welfare of
humans and animals involved in my experimental procedures." In addition,
those who submit an abstract for presentation at the Society's meetings
must conduct their research in accordance with the "Guiding
Principles in the Use of Animals in Toxicology."
Good science requires
that animals used in research are healthy and well cared for, and that pain
and distress to the animals is minimized. In addition to ethical concerns,
there are scientific reasons for this position. It is well known that altering
an animal's state of health (e.g., inducing stress or pain) can alter the
physiology of the animal and the outcome of an experiment.
Recognition
of accomplishments in promoting animal welfare
The Society of Toxicology annually presents two awards relative to the use
of animals in research. The Enhancement
of Animal Welfare Award recognizes outstanding and significant contributions
made by members of the Society of Toxicology to the scientifically sound and
responsible use of animals in research. The Award
for Contributions to Public Awareness of the Importance of Animals in Toxicology
Research encourages and recognizes individuals or organizations and their
activities that enhance public understanding of, and appreciation for, the
crucial benefits to humans, animals and the environment that result from the
use of animals in toxicology research. The application deadline is in October.
What
standards regulate animal welfare?
Around the world, animal
welfare legislation sets the standards for the proper care and treatment of
research animals. For example, in the European Union the European Animal Welfare
Directive (Council Directive 86/609/EEC) guides animal welfare. In the United
States, the federal Animal
Welfare Act (AWA) (P.L. 89-544) and the Health
Research Extension Act (P.L. 99-158) define standards for the proper care
and treatment of laboratory animals.
The AWA regulates the
use of dogs, cats, primates, guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits and farm animals
(and other animals, as the Secretary of Agriculture may determine) for use
in for research, testing and teaching. Originally passed in 1966 and amended
several times since, the AWA is administered by the U.S.
Department of Agriculture (USDA) and requires that all proposals to use
animals be reviewed and approved by an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee
(IACUC). In addition, the AWA requires that animals be provided with adequate
food, living space and veterinary attention. Facilities using any of the regulated
animals submit annual reports and are inspected periodically and unannounced
by the USDA.
The role of the IACUC,
as defined by the AWA, is to review every research proposal involving animals
and consider the design of each project as it affects the animal. The IACUC
also oversees an institution's animal program, facilities and procedures.
The IACUC must include a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine with training or experience
in laboratory animal science and medicine, an individual who is not affiliated
with the institution in any other way and at least one additional member.
Prior to receiving the approval of the IACUC, researchers must demonstrate
that the most appropriate species has been selected and that the minimum number
of animals needed to produce scientifically valid results will be used. For
procedures having the potential to cause discomfort or pain, the researcher
must justify the use of such methods and take all necessary steps to minimize
the discomfort or pain. Such committees ensure that animals will be used humanely
and responsibly to achieve valid scientific goals.
The Public Health Service
(PHS) Policy
on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, issued in 1985, requires
the IACUC to review and approve all research using vertebrate animals that
is funded by Public Health Service Agencies, including the National Institutes
of Health. Furthermore, this policy sets forth the requirements that are applicable
to all research, research training, biological testing and related activities
involving animals that are supported or conducted by agencies of the PHS according
to the standards set forth in the AWA and the PHS Guide
for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.
To insure the highest
standards of animal care, many laboratories in the U.S. are voluntarily evaluated
and accredited by the American Association
for the Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International (AAALAC),
an organization that has been accrediting programs for institutions since
1965. AAALAC accreditation signifies that the research facilities are not
only meeting the standards required by law, but are going the extra step to
achieve excellence in animal well-being.
[Necessity of Animal Research]
[Reliability of Animal Data]
[Commitment
to ResponsibleTreatment] [Advancing Valid Alternatives]
[Position Statement]
[Guiding
Principles] [Further Information] [Selected
References]
[Public Policy Statement] [Download
Printable Brochure]
Research animals must be used in a responsible manner.
SOT
Animals in Research Public Policy Statement
|
