Animals in research and education Flashcards
What influences peoples attitues thorwards animals?
- animal species
- geographical conditions
- cultural and religious background
- social stratum and wealth
- a person’s personal preferences
Animals used for research and educational purposes are live vertebrate animals, what does that mean in accordance with the law?
In accordance with the law, this term also includes embryonic forms of mammals in the last third of fetal life, and also earlier if, after procedures in the last third, they suffer pain, distress or permanent damage to their body.
Is it possible to experiment on animals without ever causing them any harm?
No, it is not possible and therefore socially acceptable compromise has to be worked out.
What should scientists be guided by when experimenting on animals?
- be guided by the applicable legal requirements
- have a broad knowledge of animals (physiology, behaviour, species needs, diseases)
- demonstrate high ethical standards in the contact with animals
- have the capacity for empathy and the need to help suffering animals
A scientist should feel personally responsible for ensuring both the proper conditions for the animals during the experiment and their appropriate treatment.
What are local ethics commitees?
The body that gives their opinion and approval (or not) for experiments in which animals are used
How many members are there in the national ethics committee?
15 members appointed and dismissed by the minister for science:
- 9 people with at least a PhD (in animal related fields) and experience in the area of usage of animals to scientific or educational purposes
- 3 people with at least a master’s degree and a scientific or professional background in philosophy, ethics or law.
- 3 people from a non-government organisation, which statutory purpose is the protection of animals
How many members are there in the local ethics committee?
12 members appointed and dismissed by national ethics committee
- 6 people with at least a PhD (in animal related fields) and experience in the area of usage of animals to scientific or educational purposes
- 3 people with at least a master’s degree and a scientific or professional background in philosophy, ethics or law.
- 3 people from a non-government organisation, which statutory purpose is the protection of animals
What are the different activities of the local ethics committee?
1) giving permission to:
- carrying out the experiment
- a change in the experiment
2) withdrawal of the consent granted for the experiment,
3) ‘retrospective evaluation’ of the experiment,
4) providing, at the request of the district veterinarian, information necessary for the proper conduct of the inspection,
5) submitting non-technical summaries of experiments to the European Commission
What are the most important aspects included in the application for authorisation to conduct an experiment?
- the purpose of the project
- scientific justification for the use of animals
- number and types of animals to be used
- description of the application of the 3R principles
- detailed description of procedures
- detailed description of animal’s keeping conditions
- data concerning user, establishment, persons…
The local ethics committee has to verify that your projects meets which criteria?
1) the project is justified from a scientific or educational point of view or required by law
2) the purposes of the project justify the use of animals, and the procedures will conduct according 3R principles
3) assignment of the classification of the severity of procedures is correct
4) information including in the applications are scientific justification to use animals
5) a harm-benefit analysis - the harm to the animals in terms of suffering, pain and distress is justified by the expected outcome taking into account ethical considerations, and may benefit human beings, animals or the environment;
6) the project is designed so as to enable procedures to be carried out in the most humane and environmentally sensitive manner possible
7) non-technical summary was prepared correctly and it is in accordance with the application
The local ethics committee has to evaluate expertise in these areas before allowing your project.
1) the areas of scientific use for which animals will be used including replacement, reduction and refinement
2) experimental design, including statistics where appropriate;
3) veterinary practice in relations to animals used in procedure
4) animal husbandry and care, in relation to the used species
If you get permission from the local ethics committee to perform your experiment, how long does it last?
The consent normaly is granted for a limited period of time, not exceeding 5 years.
All procedures must always be performed in accordance with the…
…3Rs principles
- the principle of replacement
- reduction
- refinement.
A procedure shall not carry out..
- it involves severe pain, suffering or distress that is likely to be long-lasting and cannot be alleviated
- if another method or testing strategy is recognised under EU law that allows obtaining relevant results without the use of animals
- for the purpose of obtaining data that have been obtained in other EU member states, unless confirmation of the data is necessary (for safety.).
Classification of the severity level of procedures
- teminal - entirely under general anaesthesia after which the animal does not regain consciousness
- mild - short-term mild pain, suffering or distress as well as procedures with no significant impairment of well-bein or general condition of the animals
- moderate - long-lasting mild pain, suffering or distress or short-term moderate pain, suffering or distress. Likely to cause moderate impairment of the well-being or general condition of the animals
- severe - long-lasting moderate pain, suffering or distress or severe pain, suffering or distress. Likely to cause severe impairment of the well-being or general condition of the animals
Can an animal that was experimented on be reused in another experiment?
yes, but the procedure is permitted only after a veterinarian approves.
How many generations are used to make inbred strains?
at least 20 generations
What is a normal adult mice body weight? What is their average lifespan? And what is their average body temperature?
Body weight:
- Female: 20 - 40 g
- Male: 25 - 40 g
Life span:
- 1,5 - 3 years
Body temperature:
- 36,5 - 38*C
Mice gestation period, litter size and neonatal body weight.
Gestation period:
- 19 - 21 days
Litter size:
- 6 - 12
Neonatal weight:
- 1,2 - 1,6 g
Mice housing conditions
optimum temperature:
- 20 - 24 *C
Air exchange:
- 15 - 20 x/hour
minimum quarantine:
- 5 - 15 days
Average daily requirements:
- 15 ml / 100g of water
- 12 - 18g / 100g of feed
