The ethics of research involving animals - Nuffield Council on ...

T h e e t h i c s o f r e s e a r c h i n v o l v i n g a n i m a l s
12.16 Once species-specific needs have been identified, ways <strong>of</strong> satisfying the <strong>animals</strong>’ needs in a
laboratory setting may be developed. Further to improving the welfare <strong>of</strong> <strong>animals</strong> and the
quality <strong>of</strong> scientific results, implementations <strong>of</strong> Refinements have the benefit that <strong>animals</strong>
housed with a good quality and quantity <strong>of</strong> space are frequently easier to handle and work
with. Research shows that rats group-housed in enriched environments are quicker to learn
new tasks, less stressed, more confident, less aggressive and in better general condition than
singly housed <strong>animals</strong>. Such benefits can improve staff morale and encourage further
exploration <strong>of</strong> opportunities to implement all Three Rs.
Refining experimental procedures
12.17 As we have illustrated in Chapters 5-9, a very wide variety <strong>of</strong> experimental procedures is
applied to laboratory <strong>animals</strong>, from those that are relatively minor, such as blood sampling,
through to major surgery. <strong>The</strong> procedures themselves may cause adverse effects (paragraph
9.28) and there may also be adverse effects as a result <strong>of</strong> a procedure (paragraph 4.54). For
this reason it is crucial to consider what opportunities there are to refine every aspect <strong>of</strong>
each procedure from start to finish. One particular category <strong>of</strong> procedures where there is
great potential for Refinement is the administration <strong>of</strong> substances to <strong>animals</strong>. 23 Such
procedures are required for many experiments, for example to create a disease in order to
study it, to test the effectiveness <strong>of</strong> a new medicine, or to assess the toxicity <strong>of</strong> a chemical.
<strong>The</strong>re is a variety <strong>of</strong> techniques employed for such purposes, and in each case it is important
to think about Refinement with respect to the animal’s immediate experience <strong>of</strong> the
administration method and all that it entails. This assessment should include any distress
from necessary handling and restraint (see paragraphs 4.44–4.47), as well as from the
administration method itself. <strong>The</strong> substance administered can also have a pr<strong>of</strong>ound effect
on the animal in the short and long term. For example, it may irritate the animal’s nose or
stomach, or cause nausea or seizures.
12.18 <strong>The</strong> potential for Refinement may be understood better in considering a specific example,
such as the injection <strong>of</strong> a substance into an animal’s joint to study arthritis (see paragraph 6.7)
or to ascertain the efficacy <strong>of</strong> medicines to treat the disease. This procedure can be very
painful and has the potential to cause swelling, inflammation and infection <strong>of</strong> the joint, and
consequent lameness. Refinement <strong>of</strong> the technique encompasses several elements. <strong>The</strong>
needles used for injection must be the smallest size possible and the volume <strong>of</strong> the substance
given and frequency <strong>of</strong> dosing should also be kept to a minimum so as not to distend the joint.
<strong>The</strong> animal needs to be kept calm and held very still and the operator has to have a good
knowledge <strong>of</strong> the anatomy <strong>of</strong> the joint. <strong>The</strong> procedure should only be done once and to one
joint only. If all these Refinement aspects are fully implemented, the <strong>animals</strong> will suffer far less
pain. <strong>The</strong> guiding principle in this, and in any other aspect <strong>of</strong> Refinement, is never to assume
that current practice is best practice, and to review all the techniques and protocols that are
used at regular intervals. One helpful approach in devising possible improvements can be to
think about a technique from the animal’s point <strong>of</strong> view and to ask how a specific procedure
would feel if it were applied to oneself. While this suggestion is not intended to encourage
uncritical anthropomorphism (see paragraph 4.3) it can be a helpful tool in reviewing current
practice in view <strong>of</strong> species-specific needs.
Refining the management <strong>of</strong> pain
12.19 Reducing any pain associated with experiments is another important aspect <strong>of</strong> Refinement.
Success depends critically on the ability <strong>of</strong> those dealing with the <strong>animals</strong> to recognise and
23 Morton DB, Jennings M, Buckwell A et al. (2001) Refining procedures for the administration <strong>of</strong> substances Lab Anim 35: 1–42.
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