Animal Ethics

Question 1

What is an animal, in the context of research?

Answer 1

Live non-human vertebrate (fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals encompassing domestic animals, purpose-bred animals, livestock, wildlife and cephalopods).

Question 2

When is use of an animal justified?

Answer 2

• Scientific/educational merit. There is potential benefit for humans, animals, environment.
• Use of animals is essential to achieve stated aims and suitable alternatives are unavailable
• Minimum number of animals used
• Minimum adverse impact on the wellbeing of the animals involved.

Question 3

What is replacement?

Answer 3

Replacement of animals with other methods.

Question 4

What is reduction?

Answer 4

Number of animals must be the minimum necessary to achieve the proposed aims and to satisfy good statistical design.

Question 5

What is refinement?

Answer 5

Refinement of techniques used to minimise the adverse impact on animals. Steps must be taken at all times to support and safeguard animal wellbeing.

Question 6

What are some examples of replacement?

Answer 6

Epidemiological data, physical and chemical analysis, computational/mathematical models and simulations, in vitro systems, non-sentient organisms, cadavers, clinical cases.

Question 7

When considering reduction, what needs to be balanced?

Answer 7

Balance the number of animals used and the amount of pain one animal is subjected to.

Question 8

What are examples of reduction?

Answer 8

Where practicable, animal tissue from killed animals must be shared amongst investigators or deposited in a tissue bank for subsequent distribution.

Question 9

What must take place, in terms of refinement?

Answer 9

People who care for animals must:
- be competent
- be under direct supervision of a competent person
Minimised duration of activities and minimise distress.