Answers to key questions about animal research For more information, visit the FASEB web site

Don’t we violate animals’ rights by doing experiments on them? Some philosophers argue that animals have the same rights as humans and should not be used even to preserve human life or cure human disease. Some philosophers argue that animals have the same rights as humans and should not be used even to preserve human life or cure human disease. Nuremberg Code mandates that animal studies precede and support human studies. Nuremberg Code mandates that animal studies precede and support human studies. Declaration of Helsinki mandates that medical research on humans must be supported by preceding animal research. Declaration of Helsinki mandates that medical research on humans must be supported by preceding animal research.

Don’t we violate animals’ rights by doing experiments on them? “Two animal rule” – FDA mandates that all vaccines must be tested for efficacy and safety in two animal species (typically rodent and non-human primate) before introduction in humans. “Two animal rule” – FDA mandates that all vaccines must be tested for efficacy and safety in two animal species (typically rodent and non-human primate) before introduction in humans.

How can results from animal studies be applied to humans? There are many similarities between animals and man. Examples include: There are many similarities between animals and man. Examples include: –Immune function in mice –Cardiovascular function in dogs Medical advances of the past century started with research in animals. Medical advances of the past century started with research in animals. Animal studies help uncover dangers of treatments before their use in humans. Animal studies help uncover dangers of treatments before their use in humans.

Results from animal studies also benefit animal health Newer anti-inflammatory drugs effectively treat arthritis in aging dogs and humans. Newer anti-inflammatory drugs effectively treat arthritis in aging dogs and humans. Insulin is used to treat diabetes in dogs and cats as well as humans Insulin is used to treat diabetes in dogs and cats as well as humans Newer drugs to treat heart failure are effective in dogs as well as humans. Newer drugs to treat heart failure are effective in dogs as well as humans.

Animal Research and Disease Polio Polio Landsteiner and Popper proved it infectious; able to transmit disease to monkeys. Salk and Sabin developed their vaccine through work with chickens and monkeys. Diabetes Diabetes Banting and Best showed importance of insulin in dogs.

Animal Research and Disease High Blood Pressure (HBP) High Blood Pressure (HBP) Goldblatt linked HBP to kidney in rats, cats, and dogs; led to diuretics and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors to treat high blood pressure. Cushing linked HBP to brain in dogs; led to understanding sympathetic nervous system influence on blood pressure and drugs to treat it.

Animal Research and Disease Obesity Obesity –Major risk factor for diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke and certain cancers. –Epidemic in the United States: 64% of adults are overweight and 25% are obese. –Mouse models of obesity shedding new light on causes of overeating and ways that obesity leads to disease.

Animal Research and Disease Infant Mortality Infant Mortality –Studies in sheep and lambs led to use of steroids in treatment of respiratory distress syndrome (formerly hyaline membrane disease), a major cause of death in premature infants. –Advances in understanding and treatment of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) came from studies in rats, mice, dogs, and sheep.

Animal Research and Disease Cystic Fibrosis Cystic Fibrosis –A major killer of young adults. –Mouse models led to understanding role of chloride channels. –Genetic therapies on the horizon are an outgrowth of work in mice.

Animal Research and Disease AIDs AIDs –Numerous animal models in studies to understand the disease and how it attacks the immune system. –Current anti-AIDS treatment developed in animal models have greatly extended life expectancy and quality of life for AIDS victims. –A feline virus in cats is a valuable model of AIDs in humans. –AIDS vaccines being developed in monkeys.

Animal Research and Disease Stroke Stroke –Kills over 150,000 people in the U.S. each year –Causes major disability: paralysis; loss of speech; loss of vision; loss of cognitive function. –Tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) »new treatment for acute stroke »can reverse disability due to stroke »first studied in rats with experimental stroke. –Other potential treatments, even cures, for stroke are now being studied in experimental animals.

Animal Research and Disease Bioterrorism Bioterrorism –Smallpox vaccine from calves –Botulinum antitoxin tested in mice and non-human primates

Why can’t computers and cell cultures replace animal research? Animal and non-animal models both used to answer biological questions. Animal and non-animal models both used to answer biological questions. Animal studies may pave way for computer models. They and cell cultures may extend what is learned in animals. Animal studies may pave way for computer models. They and cell cultures may extend what is learned in animals. These methods don’t reflect the complexity and dynamics of a living organism. These methods don’t reflect the complexity and dynamics of a living organism. A complete answer requires animal studies. A complete answer requires animal studies.

Why do we use animals to study product safety? Animal studies show how a product affects the whole organism; indicate danger of product. Animal studies show how a product affects the whole organism; indicate danger of product. The Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act passed in 1938 after a cough syrup caused death in 100 children and a mascara caused blindness. The Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act passed in 1938 after a cough syrup caused death in 100 children and a mascara caused blindness. “Cruelty-free” companies may contract with other firms to test their products or use chemicals tested previously in animals. “Cruelty-free” companies may contract with other firms to test their products or use chemicals tested previously in animals.

Do lab animals suffer? Laws require minimizing pain and distress and providing safe, comfortable living conditions for animals. Laws require minimizing pain and distress and providing safe, comfortable living conditions for animals. Animal use plans are reviewed carefully, particularly if they might cause pain. Animal use plans are reviewed carefully, particularly if they might cause pain.

Do lab animals suffer? Ethical committees called “Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees” (IACUCs) review animal research proposals. Ethical committees called “Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees” (IACUCs) review animal research proposals. Without IACUC approval no animal research may proceed. Without IACUC approval no animal research may proceed. IACUCs review what steps will be taken to limit pain and avoid distress. IACUCs review what steps will be taken to limit pain and avoid distress.

How are lab animals protected? The 1966 Animal Welfare Act (AWA) was the first law to set standards for animal research. The 1966 Animal Welfare Act (AWA) was the first law to set standards for animal research. The AWA applies The AWA applies –To certain animals (dogs, cats, primates, guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits, and several other species). –In certain settings (research, education, and exhibition). The AWA also sets standards for buying, selling, and transporting animals. The AWA also sets standards for buying, selling, and transporting animals.

How are lab animals protected? All vertebrate animal research that is funded by the NIH and other government agencies must meet requirements specified in the Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. The PHS Policy requires compliance with the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, which is the “gold standard” for running an animal research program. The PHS Policy requires compliance with the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, which is the “gold standard” for running an animal research program.

How are lab animals protected? Many public, private, and government research labs also volunteer for independent review of their animal care programs by the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC), International. Many public, private, and government research labs also volunteer for independent review of their animal care programs by the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC), International. AAALAC assures that the facility follows the Guide, has a well-run care program, and meets requirements of the AWA, PHS Policy, and other guidelines. AAALAC assures that the facility follows the Guide, has a well-run care program, and meets requirements of the AWA, PHS Policy, and other guidelines.

Could my dog end up in a lab? Very few dogs and cats are used in research. Very few dogs and cats are used in research. –At least half of these dogs and cats are bred for research. –About 95% of research animals are mice and rats. The AWA has safeguards so that lost pets do not become research subjects. The AWA has safeguards so that lost pets do not become research subjects.

Why are increasing numbers of animals being used in research? The number of cats, dogs, and primates used has actually dropped. The number of cats, dogs, and primates used has actually dropped. The number of rodents, particularly mice, has increased because of their contribution to genetic models of disease. The number of rodents, particularly mice, has increased because of their contribution to genetic models of disease.

What activists are saying… People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) advocates abolishing all animal research. People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) advocates abolishing all animal research. –Ingrid Newkirk, PETA Director » »“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.”

What activists are saying… Stop Huntington Animal Cruelty (SHAC) Stop Huntington Animal Cruelty (SHAC) –Jerry Vlasak, antivivisectionist and advisor to SHAC » »“I think violence is part of the struggle against oppression.” » »“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.”

More from activists… “There is no rational basis for saying that a human being has special rights: A rat is a pig is a dog is a boy. They are all mammals.” “There is no rational basis for saying that a human being has special rights: A rat is a pig is a dog is a boy. They are all mammals.” - Ingrid Newkirk, co-founder, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals - Ingrid Newkirk, co-founder, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals

More from activists… “If abandoning animal research means that there are some things we cannot learn, then so be it.... We have no basic right...not to be harmed by those natural diseases we are heir to.” “If abandoning animal research means that there are some things we cannot learn, then so be it.... We have no basic right...not to be harmed by those natural diseases we are heir to.” - Tom Regan (Philosopher), The Case for Animal Rights (1983) - Tom Regan (Philosopher), The Case for Animal Rights (1983)

What activists are saying… “An animal experiment cannot be justifiable unless the experiment is so important that the use of a brain-damaged human would be justifiable.” “An animal experiment cannot be justifiable unless the experiment is so important that the use of a brain-damaged human would be justifiable.” - Peter Singer, (Philosopher) Animal Liberation: A New Ethic for Our Treatment of Animals, 2 nd edition (1990) - Peter Singer, (Philosopher) Animal Liberation: A New Ethic for Our Treatment of Animals, 2 nd edition (1990)

Conclusions Research using experimental animals is vital for advances both in human and veterinary medicine. Research using experimental animals is vital for advances both in human and veterinary medicine. Scientists seek and utilize non-animal models whenever they are available and will provide valid results. Scientists seek and utilize non-animal models whenever they are available and will provide valid results. Many scientific questions cannot be answered with such non-animal models. Many scientific questions cannot be answered with such non-animal models.