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The Ethics of Research involving Animals

Workshop: Ethics and research involving animals (6)

The ethical implications of alternatives to animal research

The Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 encourages the use of alternatives wherever possible, based on the 3Rs: refinement, reduction and replacement. However, it seems likely that much future research will involve the creation of genetically modified animals, particularly mice, without necessarily considering the alternatives. Research involving “knockout mice” is generally fairly reliable, making exact repeats of experiments unnecessary. If a suitable archive of data about the genotypes and phenotypes of mutant animals could be constructed, this would reduce the possibility of unnecessary replication of research and so could reduce the number of animals required. It was suggested that alternatives to the use of animals could also be considered, for example the use of in silico models (using computers) as a preliminary to research involving animals. Questions exist, however, as to whose responsibility it is to develop alternatives to the use of animals, and the possibility that such alternatives may not be as rigorous.