Using Animals in Research and

Education

Copyright 2010. PEER.tamu.edu

Quick Questions:Quick Questions:

Why do we need to use animals for research Why do we need to use animals for research and teaching?and teaching?

What have people learned from animal What have people learned from animal research?research?

Are the animals used in research & education Are the animals used in research & education protected and taken care of?protected and taken care of?

Does everyone agree with using animals for Does everyone agree with using animals for research or do some people disagree?research or do some people disagree?

Why Do We Need To Use Animals Why Do We Need To Use Animals for Research & Teaching?for Research & Teaching?

The functions of cells and organs are The functions of cells and organs are basically the same in animals and humans. basically the same in animals and humans.

What we learn from animals is useful in What we learn from animals is useful in human and animal medicine.human and animal medicine.

Animal cells function in many of the same ways as human cells.

Biologically, humans are in the Animal Kingdom.

An animal cell

Why Do We Need To Use Animals Why Do We Need To Use Animals for Research & Teaching?for Research & Teaching?

Animal are used to:Animal are used to:• Understand how diseases Understand how diseases

affect living tissueaffect living tissue

• Develop and test treatments Develop and test treatments — including treatments for — including treatments for animalsanimals

• Train future scientists and Train future scientists and health-care professionalshealth-care professionals

Can Computer Models and Cell Can Computer Models and Cell Cultures Replace Animal Cultures Replace Animal

Research?Research?

Non-animal models are very important, Non-animal models are very important, but but have limitationshave limitations. They cannot . They cannot duplicate the complicated interactions in a duplicate the complicated interactions in a whole system.whole system.

Final testing depends on studies in living, Final testing depends on studies in living, whole animals or people. whole animals or people.

This is actually required by federal law.This is actually required by federal law.

Review:Review:

Why are animals used in medical and Why are animals used in medical and veterinary research?veterinary research?

What could be some limitations of What could be some limitations of using non-animal models in using non-animal models in research?research?

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

They They CANCAN and and AREARE. Virtually all drugs, . Virtually all drugs, devices and medical procedures have been devices and medical procedures have been developed with some animal research.developed with some animal research.

This dog, Kodi, underwent hip replacement surgery twice. Hip replacement surgical techniques were tested first on animals and now help both animals and people.

What Have We Learned From What Have We Learned From Animal Research?Animal Research?

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

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

Animal Use in Biomedical Animal Use in Biomedical ResearchResearch

PolioPolio Landsteiner and Popper proved it Landsteiner and Popper proved it

infectious; able to transmit infectious; able to transmit disease to monkeys.disease to monkeys.

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

Polio was one of the most dreaded childhood diseases of the 20th century. Polio epidemics have crippled thousands of people, mostly young children;

the disease has caused paralysis and death for much of human history. Developed in the 1950s, polio vaccines are credited with reducing the

global number of polio cases per year from many hundreds of thousands to around a thousand.

Animal Use in Biomedical Animal Use in Biomedical ResearchResearch

Infant MortalityInfant Mortality• Studies in sheep led to use of steroids in treatment Studies in sheep led to use of steroids in treatment

of respiratory distress syndrome, a major cause of of respiratory distress syndrome, a major cause of death in premature infants.death in premature infants.

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

Animal Use in Biomedical Animal Use in Biomedical Research Research

Cystic FibrosisCystic Fibrosis• A major killer of young adults.A major killer of young adults.

• Mouse models led to understanding the Mouse models led to understanding the biochemical processes involved in this disorder.biochemical processes involved in this disorder.

• Genetic therapies on the horizon are an Genetic therapies on the horizon are an extension of work in mice.extension of work in mice.

Animal Use in Biomedical Animal Use in Biomedical ResearchResearch

High Blood Pressure (HBP)High Blood Pressure (HBP)•Goldblatt linked HBP to kidneys in rats, cats, and dogs. Goldblatt linked HBP to kidneys in rats, cats, and dogs. This research led to treatments for high blood pressure.This research led to treatments for high blood pressure.

•Cushing linked HBP to brains in dogs. This research led Cushing linked HBP to brains in dogs. This research led to understanding the nervous system’s influence on to understanding the nervous system’s influence on blood pressure and development of drugs to treat it.blood pressure and development of drugs to treat it.

Animal Use in Biomedical Animal Use in Biomedical ResearchResearch

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

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

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

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

Animal Use in Biomedical Animal Use in Biomedical ResearchResearch

BioterrorismBioterrorism• Botulism antitoxin (prevention) was tested in Botulism antitoxin (prevention) was tested in

mice and non-human primatesmice and non-human primates

• The smallpox vaccine was first studied using The smallpox vaccine was first studied using cowpox in cattle. In fact, the word “vaccine” is cowpox in cattle. In fact, the word “vaccine” is derived from the word “vaca” which means derived from the word “vaca” which means cow in Latin.cow in Latin.

AIDSAIDS

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

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

Animal Use in Biomedical Animal Use in Biomedical ResearchResearch

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

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

• A new treatment for stroke (and one that A new treatment for stroke (and one that can reverse disability due to stroke), was can reverse disability due to stroke), was first studied in rats.first studied in rats.

Review:Review:

Give some examples of how animals are used Give some examples of how animals are used in research.in research.

Who benefits from using animals in research?Who benefits from using animals in research?

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

Many federal and local laws ensure Many federal and local laws ensure animals used in research & education animals used in research & education are being treated humanely.are being treated humanely.

These include:These include:• Animal Welfare ActAnimal Welfare Act

• Public Health ServicePublic Health Service

• IACUCsIACUCs (committees that must (committees that must

approve research protocols)approve research protocols)

• AAALACAAALAC (agency that accredits (agency that accredits

animal care facilities)animal care facilities)

Animal Welfare ActAnimal Welfare Act The Animal Welfare Act is a Federal law that Congress The Animal Welfare Act is a Federal law that Congress

passed to protect warm-blooded animals used in passed 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 standards of animal care to be established and standards of animal care to be established and enforced.enforced.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.

We have to be cared for properly. It’s the law!!!!!!!

Animal Welfare ActAnimal Welfare Act

Includes rules for Includes rules for mandatory surprise mandatory surprise inspectionsinspections of animal research facilities. of 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 receive:receive:

• Good veterinary careGood veterinary care

• Appropriate housingAppropriate housing

• Proper Feeding Proper Feeding

• Humane handlingHumane handling

• Sound sanitation and ventilationSound sanitation and ventilation

Lab animal care Lab animal care inspectioninspection

If research animals are not being cared If research animals are not being cared for properly, then the researchers for properly, then the researchers

that are responsible are breaking the that are responsible are breaking the law!law!

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

Required at all research institutions.Required at all research institutions. Committees consist of Committees consist of veterinarians, veterinarians,

scientists, members of the public.scientists, members of the public. Without IACUC approval, no research Without IACUC approval, no research

using animals may proceed.using animals may proceed. Among IACUC considerations are the Among IACUC considerations are the

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

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

You can’t get good data from unhealthy or mis-treated You can’t get good data from unhealthy or mis-treated animals. It is in the best interest of researchers to treat animals. It is in the best interest of researchers to treat lab animals well.lab animals well.

Most animal research facilities have a dedicated staff of Most animal research facilities have a dedicated staff of people whose job is to provide daily care for the people whose job is to provide daily care for the animals in their charge.  animals in their charge. 

Research animals must be cared for 7 days a week, 365 Research animals must be cared for 7 days a week, 365 days a year regardless of weather or holidays.days a year regardless of weather or holidays.

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

Research & EducationResearch & Education

The goal is to get The goal is to get reliable data and reliable data and

make sure animals make sure animals are healthy and well are healthy and well

cared for.cared for.

The Three R’s of using animals in The Three R’s of using animals in researchresearch

The The Three R’sThree R’s are principles of good are principles of good science that scientists must adhere to science that scientists must adhere to when conducting animal-based when conducting animal-based research.research.

First R- Replacement Using non-animal alternative wherever they exist in order that the only research done using animals is that which can be done no other way.

This is synthetic skin.It can be used in someresearch situations.

Second R- ReductionSecond R- Reduction• Using as few animals as possible to Using as few animals as possible to

attain statistically significant results, as attain statistically significant results, as well as finding ways to cut down on the well as finding ways to cut down on the number of animals used for any specific number of animals used for any specific piece of research.piece of research.

This is a laboratory animal care technician. Read about him at: This is a laboratory animal care technician. Read about him at: http://www.kids4research.org/teachers_parents/aces_Gary.aspWatch a short video of a technician at: Watch a short video of a technician at: http://www.aboutbioscience.org/laboratory_animal_technician.html

Third R- RefinementThird R- Refinement• Improving animal welfare in laboratories Improving animal welfare in laboratories

by enhanced lab technician training, by enhanced lab technician training, better enrichment inside the cages for better enrichment inside the cages for animals, redesign of an experiment, etc. animals, redesign of an experiment, etc.

Are lab animals suffering Are lab animals suffering and in pain?and in pain?

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

Laws mandate minimizing pain and distress for lab Laws mandate minimizing pain and distress for lab animals.animals.

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

All animal protocols are reviewed and must be All animal protocols are reviewed and must be approved by an outside monitoring committee.approved by an outside monitoring committee.

Discuss:Discuss:

Are there laws to protect animals Are there laws to protect animals used in research?used in research?

What are the Three R’s of animal What are the Three R’s of animal research?research?

Animal Welfare and Animal RightsAnimal Welfare and Animal Rights Animal Animal welfarewelfare is not the same as animal is not the same as animal rightsrights..

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

• We should treat animals with compassion & We should treat animals with compassion & provide for their humane treatment.provide for their humane treatment.

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

Animal Rights vs. Animal WelfareAnimal Rights vs. Animal Welfare

Animal RightsAnimal Rights Goal: To end all human Goal: To end all human

exploitation of animals.exploitation of animals. This includes ending:This includes ending: Raising and slaughtering of Raising and slaughtering of

livestock for human or animal livestock for human or animal consumptionconsumption

Eating meatEating meat HuntingHunting Using animals for any medical Using animals for any medical

or veterinary research, zoos, or veterinary research, zoos, circuses, rodeos, horse circuses, rodeos, horse shows, dog shows, animals shows, dog shows, animals performing in TV commercials, performing in TV commercials, shows or movies shows or movies 

Using Guide-dogs for the blind Using Guide-dogs for the blind Using Police dogsUsing Police dogs Using Search & rescue dogsUsing Search & rescue dogs The practice of owning petsThe practice of owning pets

Animal WelfareAnimal Welfare

Goal: To prevent suffering and Goal: To prevent suffering and cruelty to animals.  To provide cruelty to animals.  To provide care and good homes for pets in care and good homes for pets in need.  need. 

This includes:This includes:   Funding and running of animal Funding and running of animal

shelters for abandoned, abused, shelters for abandoned, abused, homeless, or unwanted pets.homeless, or unwanted pets.

  Educating the public about the Educating the public about the need for spaying/neutering their need for spaying/neutering their pets pets

Enforcement of anti-cruelty Enforcement of anti-cruelty statutes statutes

Monitoring and enforcement of Monitoring and enforcement of legislation to ensure more legislation to ensure more humane standards of care for humane standards of care for livestock, laboratory animals, livestock, laboratory animals, performing animals, and petsperforming animals, and pets

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

People for Ethical Treatment of Animals People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) advocates abolishing all animal (PETA) advocates abolishing all animal research.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 Many animal rights activists pursue their goals legally, Many animal rights activists pursue their goals legally,

through protests and information campaigns. through protests and information campaigns.

However, there are animal rights activist groups who However, there are animal rights activist groups who believe in violence and extreme measures as believe in violence and extreme measures as acceptable methods to achieve their goal.acceptable methods to achieve their goal.

• Examples:Examples: Stop Huntington Animal Cruelty (SHAC)Stop Huntington Animal Cruelty (SHAC) Animal Liberation Front (ALF)Animal Liberation Front (ALF)

This is the burned remainsof the house of Daniel Vasella, a Swiss pharmaceutical company CEO. This house was allegedly burned by animal rights extremists.

Examples of statements from animal Examples of statements 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

Crimes Committed on U.S. Crimes Committed on U.S. Research LabsResearch Labs

What do you know?What do you know?

• What is the difference between What is the difference between animal rights and animal animal rights and animal welfare?welfare?

• What are some methods used What are some methods used by animal rights activists?by animal rights activists?

Now let’s find out what you think.Now let’s find out what you think.

What is your opinion about using What is your opinion about using animals as models in research?animals as models in research?

You are going to do an assignment in You are going to do an assignment in which you will express your views!which you will express your views!