May 28, 2010
ANIMAL WELFARE
Don't forget the '3Rs' in research
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LAST Sunday's article ('Uniquely Singapore lab mice and micro-pigs') reported that new facilities will be set up at Lim Chu Kang and Tuas to breed 600,000 mice and rats annually and 200 micro- pigs for scientific research.
Animals are sentient beings and therefore capable of feeling pain. As much as it may be 'critical to have a consistent and reliant supply of animals in research', as stated by a researcher here recently, it is also critical to reduce the number of animals that endure endless pain and suffering daily in the name of science.
As Singapore expands its role in lab animal research, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) is concerned and interested to know the advances made or being made towards achieving the three principles, mentioned by the National Advisory Committee for Laboratory Animal Research (Naclar) chairman Bernard Tan, on which animal research rests.
The three principles are replacement (using alternative methods where possible); reduction (in numbers used); and refinement (limiting their suffering).
There has been no mention either as to whether the original Naclar-formulated guidelines of 2003 on humane treatment have been improved upon in terms of standards for the husbandry and care of laboratory animals. These were found by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to be inadequate.
The SPCA acknowledges that animal experimentation has helped improve or save human life, but not without immeasurable animal suffering. The industry should be mindful of this and strive to work towards excellence in seeking alternative research methods.
Deirdre Moss (Ms)
Executive Officer
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA)
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ANIMAL WELFARE
Don't forget the '3Rs' in research
<!-- by line --><!-- end by line -->
<!-- end left side bar --><!-- story content : start -->
LAST Sunday's article ('Uniquely Singapore lab mice and micro-pigs') reported that new facilities will be set up at Lim Chu Kang and Tuas to breed 600,000 mice and rats annually and 200 micro- pigs for scientific research.
Animals are sentient beings and therefore capable of feeling pain. As much as it may be 'critical to have a consistent and reliant supply of animals in research', as stated by a researcher here recently, it is also critical to reduce the number of animals that endure endless pain and suffering daily in the name of science.
As Singapore expands its role in lab animal research, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) is concerned and interested to know the advances made or being made towards achieving the three principles, mentioned by the National Advisory Committee for Laboratory Animal Research (Naclar) chairman Bernard Tan, on which animal research rests.
The three principles are replacement (using alternative methods where possible); reduction (in numbers used); and refinement (limiting their suffering).
There has been no mention either as to whether the original Naclar-formulated guidelines of 2003 on humane treatment have been improved upon in terms of standards for the husbandry and care of laboratory animals. These were found by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to be inadequate.
The SPCA acknowledges that animal experimentation has helped improve or save human life, but not without immeasurable animal suffering. The industry should be mindful of this and strive to work towards excellence in seeking alternative research methods.
Deirdre Moss (Ms)
Executive Officer
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA)
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