Using Animals in Research and Education. Table of Contents Why do we need animal models for research and education? Why do we need animal models for research

Using Animals in Research and Education

Table of ContentsTable of Contents Why do we need animal models for research and Why do we need animal models for research and

education?education?• What about alternatives like computers or cell lines?What about alternatives like computers or cell lines?• Can results from animal studies really apply to humans?Can results from animal studies really apply to humans?

What have we learned from animal research?What have we learned from animal research?

Are the animals used in research & education Are the animals used in research & education protected?protected?• Regulations to protect research animalsRegulations to protect research animals• Do scientists care about animals? Do they treat them well?Do scientists care about animals? Do they treat them well?• Are lab animals suffering and in pain?Are lab animals suffering and in pain?

Opposition to animal researchOpposition to animal research

Why do we need animals for Why do we need animals for research & education?research & education?

Animals serve as good models to help us Animals serve as good models to help us understand how living tissues function and the understand how living tissues function and the biology underlying disease.biology underlying disease.• The interaction of cells, tissues and organs within the The interaction of cells, tissues and organs within the

body is very complex, and can often only be studied in body is very complex, and can often only be studied in the whole animal. the whole animal.

Only by understanding how disease or injuries Only by understanding how disease or injuries affect living organisms can we develop affect living organisms can we develop treatments or cures.treatments or cures.

Animal models are used to:Animal models are used to:• Help researchers understand the fundamental ways in Help researchers understand the fundamental ways in

which diseases affect living tissue.which diseases affect living tissue.• Develop and test treatments for illness or injury.Develop and test treatments for illness or injury.• Train future scientists and physicians.Train future scientists and physicians.

Can’t Computer Models and Cell Can’t Computer Models and Cell Cultures Replace Animal Cultures Replace Animal

Research?Research? Computer models and cell cultures are Computer models and cell cultures are

good for screening and are used good for screening and are used frequently.frequently.

Such models cannot replicate complicated Such models cannot replicate complicated interactions in the whole system.interactions in the whole system.

Final testing depends on studies in Final testing depends on studies in animals; sometimes it is required by law.animals; sometimes it is required by law.

Animal and non-animal models used in Animal and non-animal models used in conjunction achieve the best answer.conjunction achieve the best answer.

Can Results from Animal Studies Can Results from Animal Studies Really Be Applied to Humans?Really Be Applied to Humans?

There are many similarities between animals and There are many similarities between animals and man. Examples include:man. Examples include:• Immune function in miceImmune function in mice• Cardiovascular function in dogs Cardiovascular function in dogs

Animals provide index of safety.Animals provide index of safety.• Nuremberg Code mandates that animal studies precede Nuremberg Code mandates that animal studies precede

and support human studies.and support human studies.• Declaration of Helsinki mandates that medical research Declaration of Helsinki mandates that medical research

on humans must be supported by preceding animal on humans must be supported by preceding animal research.research.

Nearly all medical advances of the past century Nearly all medical advances of the past century started with research in animals.started with research in animals.

What have we learned from animal What have we learned from animal research?research?

Animal research has played a major role in nearly Animal research has played a major role in nearly all medical advances for both humans and other all medical advances for both humans and other animals.animals.

These include, but are not limited to:These include, but are not limited to:• Angiograms, X-Rays, CAT scans, blood pressure Angiograms, X-Rays, CAT scans, blood pressure

measurement, cardiac pacemaker, hypertension measurement, cardiac pacemaker, hypertension medications, insulin for diabetes, MRI, numerous medications, insulin for diabetes, MRI, numerous vaccines, cardiac catheters, kidney dialysis, cataract vaccines, cardiac catheters, kidney dialysis, cataract surgery, burn treatments, heart valve replacements, surgery, burn treatments, heart valve replacements, artificial hips…. The list goes on and on!! artificial hips…. The list goes on and on!!

So what animals have helped which medical So what animals have helped which medical advances? advances? • Let’s look at some specific examples… Let’s look at some specific examples…

Animal Models for Research & Animal Models for Research & DiseaseDisease

PolioPolio• Landsteiner and Popper proved it infectious; Landsteiner and Popper proved it infectious;

able to transmit disease to monkeys.able to transmit disease to monkeys.

• Salk and Sabin developed their vaccine Salk and Sabin developed their vaccine through work with chickens and monkeys. through work with chickens and monkeys.

DiabetesDiabetes• Banting and Best showed importance of insulin Banting and Best showed importance of insulin

in dogs.in dogs.


Infant MortalityInfant Mortality• Studies in sheep and lambs led to use of Studies in sheep and lambs led to use of

steroids in treatment of respiratory steroids in treatment of respiratory distress syndrome (formerly hyaline distress syndrome (formerly hyaline membrane disease), a major cause of membrane disease), a major cause of death in premature infants.death in premature infants.

• Advances in understanding and Advances in understanding and treatment of sudden infant death treatment of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) came from studies in syndrome (SIDS) came from studies in rats, mice, dogs, and sheep.rats, mice, dogs, and sheep.


Cystic FibrosisCystic Fibrosis• A major killer of young adults.A major killer of young adults.• Mouse models led to understanding role Mouse models led to understanding role

of chloride channels.of chloride channels.• Genetic therapies on the horizon are an Genetic therapies on the horizon are an

outgrowth of work in mice.outgrowth of work in mice.


High Blood Pressure (HBP)High Blood Pressure (HBP)• Goldblatt linked HBP to kidney in rats, cats, Goldblatt linked HBP to kidney in rats, cats,

and dogs; led to diuretics and angiotensin and dogs; led to diuretics and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors to treat high converting enzyme inhibitors to treat high blood pressure.blood pressure.

• Cushing linked HBP to brain in dogs; led Cushing linked HBP to brain in dogs; led to understanding sympathetic nervous system to understanding sympathetic nervous system influence on blood pressure and drugs to treat influence on blood pressure and drugs to treat it.it.


ObesityObesity• Major risk factor for diabetes mellitus, high Major risk factor for diabetes mellitus, high

blood pressure, heart attack, stroke and blood pressure, heart attack, stroke and certain cancers. certain cancers.

• Epidemic in the United States: 64% of adults Epidemic in the United States: 64% of adults are overweight and 25% are obese.are overweight and 25% are obese.

• Mouse models and Zucker obese rats Mouse models and Zucker obese rats shedding new light on causes of overeating, shedding new light on causes of overeating, importance of leptin receptors, and ways that importance of leptin receptors, and ways that obesity leads to disease. obesity leads to disease.


BioterrorismBioterrorism• Smallpox vaccine from calvesSmallpox vaccine from calves• ““Two animal rule” – FADA mandates that Two animal rule” – FADA mandates that

all vaccines must be tested for efficacy all vaccines must be tested for efficacy and safety in two animals (typically and safety in two animals (typically rodent and non-human primate) before rodent and non-human primate) before introduction in humansintroduction in humans

• Botulinum antitoxin tested in mice and Botulinum antitoxin tested in mice and non-human primatesnon-human primates


AIDSAIDS• Numerous animal models in studies to Numerous animal models in studies to

understand the disease and how it understand the disease and how it attacks the immune system.attacks the immune system.

• Current anti-AIDS treatment developed Current anti-AIDS treatment developed in animal models have greatly extended in animal models have greatly extended life expectancy and quality of life for life expectancy and quality of life for AIDS victims.AIDS victims.

• AIDS vaccines being developed in AIDS vaccines being developed in monkeys.monkeys.


StrokeStroke• Stroke kills over 150,000 people in the U.S. Stroke kills over 150,000 people in the U.S.

each year and causes major disability that can each year and causes major disability that can include paralysis, inability to speak, loss of include paralysis, inability to speak, loss of vision and loss of cognitive function. vision and loss of cognitive function.

• Tissue plasminogen activator (TPA), a new Tissue plasminogen activator (TPA), a new treatment for acute stroke, and one that can treatment for acute stroke, and one that can reverse disability due to stroke was first reverse disability due to stroke was first studied in rats with experimental stroke.studied in rats with experimental stroke.

• Other potential treatments, even cures, for Other potential treatments, even cures, for stroke are now being studied in experimental stroke are now being studied in experimental animals.animals.

Are the animals used in research & Are the animals used in research & education protected?education protected?

There are a number of federal and local There are a number of federal and local laws, regulations and institutions, as well laws, regulations and institutions, as well as nonprofit organizations, that ensure as nonprofit organizations, that ensure animals used in research & education are animals used in research & education are being treated humanely.being treated humanely.

These include:These include:• Animal Welfare ActAnimal Welfare Act• Public Health ServicePublic Health Service• IACUCsIACUCs• AAALACAAALAC

Animal Welfare ActAnimal Welfare Act ““The AWA is a Federal law that Congress passed in The AWA is a Federal law that Congress passed in

1966 and amended in 1970, 1976, 1985, 1990, and 1966 and amended in 1970, 1976, 1985, 1990, and 2002 to protect warm-blooded animals used in 2002 to protect warm-blooded animals used in research, bred for commercial sale, exhibited to the research, bred for commercial sale, exhibited to the public, or commercially transported. The law requires public, or commercially transported. The law requires minimum standards of animal care to be established minimum standards of animal care to be established and enforced.”and enforced.”--USDA Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service--USDA Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service

Administered by the United States Department of Administered by the United States Department of AgricultureAgriculture

The Animal Welfare Act applies to dogs, cats, primates, The Animal Welfare Act applies to dogs, cats, primates, guinea pigs, hamsters, and farm animals; guinea pigs, hamsters, and farm animals; • mandates institutional review, care and feeding, licensure of mandates institutional review, care and feeding, licensure of

facilities, and annual report by USDA to Congress.facilities, and annual report by USDA to Congress.

Public Health ServicePublic Health Service The Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care

and Use of Laboratory Animals (updated 2002) requires compliance with federally mandated standards of care in use of laboratory animals for any work funded by the National Institutes of Health.

Mandated by law, Health Research Extension Act of 1985.

Administered through the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) at the U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services.

Covers the vast majority of animals used in medical research, including rodents.

AWA and PHS policyAWA and PHS policy

Includes mandatory surprise inspections of Includes mandatory surprise inspections of animal research facilities.animal research facilities.

These federal laws & regulations are in These federal laws & regulations are in place to ensure that all research animals place to ensure that all research animals recieve:recieve:• Good veterinary careGood veterinary care• Appropriate housingAppropriate housing• Feeding Feeding • Humane handlingHumane handling• Sound sanitation and ventilationSound sanitation and ventilation

Institutional Animal Care & Use Institutional Animal Care & Use Committees (IACUCs)Committees (IACUCs)

Required at all research institutions by both AWA Required at all research institutions by both AWA and PHS policy.and PHS policy.

Committees consist of veterinarians, scientists, Committees consist of veterinarians, scientists, members of the public.members of the public.

Without IACUC approval no research using Without IACUC approval no research using animals may proceed. animals may proceed.

Among IACUC considerations are the measures Among IACUC considerations are the measures used to control potential pain and avoid distress used to control potential pain and avoid distress as well as the potential value of any scientific as well as the potential value of any scientific outcome from the proposed studies.outcome from the proposed studies.

Association for the Assessment & Association for the Assessment & Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Accreditation of Laboratory Animal

Care (AAALAC)Care (AAALAC) In addition to complying with federal In addition to complying with federal

& local laws governing animal care, & local laws governing animal care, the majority of research institutions the majority of research institutions seek voluntary accreditation with seek voluntary accreditation with AAALAC.AAALAC.

AAALAC accreditation requires that AAALAC accreditation requires that researchers go well above & beyond researchers go well above & beyond the minimum standards for lab the minimum standards for lab animal care & welfare mandated by animal care & welfare mandated by law.law.

Do scientists care about animals? Do scientists care about animals? Do they treat them well?Do they treat them well?

““Good science & good animal care go hand-in-Good science & good animal care go hand-in-hand.”hand.” – –FASEB Statement of Principles for the Use of Animals in Research & Education, FASEB Statement of Principles for the Use of Animals in Research & Education,

19941994

It is in the best interest of researchers and science for It is in the best interest of researchers and science for animals to be well-treated and healthy.animals to be well-treated and healthy.• Sick or mistreated animals don’t give good research resultsSick or mistreated animals don’t give good research results..• Animal research is very expensive, so lab animals are precious Animal research is very expensive, so lab animals are precious

to scientists – they only use them when necessary, and take to scientists – they only use them when necessary, and take very good care of them.very good care of them.

To illustrate, AAALAC was originally founded by To illustrate, AAALAC was originally founded by scientists and veterinarians, who wanted to make sure scientists and veterinarians, who wanted to make sure everything was being done to ensure good animal care.everything was being done to ensure good animal care.

Are lab animals suffering & in pain?Are lab animals suffering & in pain?

Animal use is carefully controlled, Animal use is carefully controlled, particularly if it might cause pain.particularly if it might cause pain.

Laws mandate avoiding and alleviating Laws mandate avoiding and alleviating pain and distress for lab animals.pain and distress for lab animals.

Good science relies on controlling an Good science relies on controlling an animal’s health and comfort.animal’s health and comfort.

All animal protocols are reviewed and All animal protocols are reviewed and must be approved by committees that must be approved by committees that include members of the public.include members of the public.

Opposition to Animal ResearchOpposition to Animal Research Animal welfare is not the same as animal Animal welfare is not the same as animal

rights.rights.• Animal welfare is fully supported by the scientific Animal welfare is fully supported by the scientific

community, and says we should treat animals community, and says we should treat animals with compassion & provide for their humane with compassion & provide for their humane treatment.treatment.

Some philosophers argue that animals have Some philosophers argue that animals have the same rights as humans and should not the same rights as humans and should not be used even to preserve human life or cure be used even to preserve human life or cure human disease.human disease.

Groups that believe in this philosophy work Groups that believe in this philosophy work actively to end the use of animals in research actively to end the use of animals in research & education.& education.

Examples of animal rights groups Examples of animal rights groups views on animal researchviews on animal research

People for Ethical Treatment of People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) advocates abolishing Animals (PETA) advocates abolishing all animal research.all animal research.• “Even if animal research resulted in a

cure for AIDS, we'd be against it.”• “I wish everyone would get up and go

into the labs and get the animals out and burn them down.” --Ingrid Newkirk, PETA Director

Animal Rights ExtremismAnimal Rights Extremism Vast majority of animal rights activists Vast majority of animal rights activists

pursue their goals legally, through protests pursue their goals legally, through protests and information campaigns. and information campaigns.

However, there has been a movement However, there has been a movement towards smaller, underground animal towards smaller, underground animal rights groups who believe violence & rights groups who believe violence & extreme measures are acceptable extreme measures are acceptable methods to achieve their goal.methods to achieve their goal.• Stop Huntington Animal Cruelty (SHAC)Stop Huntington Animal Cruelty (SHAC)• Animal Liberation Front (ALF)Animal Liberation Front (ALF)

Examples of statement from animal Examples of statement from animal rights extremist groupsrights extremist groups

“I think violence is part of the struggle against oppression.” –Jerry Vlasak, spokesperson for SHAC and ALF

“I don't think you'd have to kill too many [researchers]. I think for five lives, 10 lives, 15 human lives, we could save a million, 2 million, 10 million non-human lives.” –Jerry Vlasak, spokesperson for SHAC and ALF

"In a war you have to take up arms and people will get killed, and I can support that kind of action by petrol bombing and bombs under cars, and probably at a later stage, the shooting of vivisectors on their doorsteps. It's a war and there's no other way you can stop vivisectors.“ –Tim Daley, ALF

For more resources about the use For more resources about the use of animals in research & education:of animals in research & education:

Please visit:Please visit:

http://opa.faseb.orghttp://opa.faseb.org

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Using Animals in Research and Education. Table of Contents Why do we need animal models for research and education? Why do we need animal models for research