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
in particular areas <strong>of</strong> <strong>research</strong>. Since the unavailability <strong>of</strong> non-animal methods plays a
central role in the cost-benefit assessment carried out under the A(SP)A, 32 we recommend
that Ministers request the APC to undertake or commission such an analysis for a series <strong>of</strong>
projects with a wide range <strong>of</strong> scientific objectives. A clear exposition <strong>of</strong> obstacles, and
strategies for overcoming them would, first, allow <strong>research</strong> efforts to be focused on
problems that must be overcome if <strong>animals</strong> are to be replaced for a particular purpose.
Secondly, such an analysis would identify publicly the scientific problems which are thought
to be insurmountable.
Other issues
15.63 In this section we consider a number <strong>of</strong> more specific issues:
■ ways <strong>of</strong> motivating and monitoring the reduction <strong>of</strong> <strong>research</strong> <strong>involving</strong> <strong>animals</strong>
(paragraphs 15.65–15.67);
■ ways <strong>of</strong> avoiding duplication <strong>of</strong> <strong>research</strong> (paragraphs 15.68–15.70);
■ issues raised by the use <strong>of</strong> GM <strong>animals</strong> in basic <strong>research</strong> (paragraphs 15.71–15.75);
■ the scientific validity <strong>of</strong> animal <strong>research</strong> and the use <strong>of</strong> <strong>animals</strong> in the study <strong>of</strong> human
disease (paragraphs 15.76–15.80);
■ toxicity testing (paragraphs 15.81–15.83); and
■ the international context <strong>of</strong> <strong>research</strong> <strong>involving</strong> <strong>animals</strong> (paragraphs 15.84–15.91).
Motivating and monitoring the reduction <strong>of</strong> animal <strong>research</strong>
15.64 One way <strong>of</strong> motivating and monitoring any proposed reduction <strong>of</strong> animal experiments
would be to set targets. <strong>The</strong> most radical form <strong>of</strong> target would be to aim to abandon or
phase out a specific area <strong>of</strong> animal experimentation. As we have said, in the UK the Home
Office announced in 1998 that it would not issue any new licences for testing cosmetic
products, for the testing <strong>of</strong> alcohol or tobacco products or for <strong>research</strong> <strong>involving</strong> the great
apes. 33 More recently, a 7th Amendment to the EU Cosmetics Directive has been approved,
which will impose a marketing and sales ban in the EU on cosmetics that have been tested
on <strong>animals</strong>, effective from March 2005.
CHAPTER 15 DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
15.65 Members <strong>of</strong> the Working Party disagree about the setting <strong>of</strong> targets. Those who favoured
the approach argued that without targets there tends to be drift and fatalism. <strong>The</strong>y
emphasised the following:
■ Setting targets can focus the mind and encourage determined action. As a heuristic
device, the explicit setting <strong>of</strong> targets can be useful in helping to decide where and how
reductions might be achieved.
■ <strong>The</strong> setting <strong>of</strong> targets is routine in industry, academia and public institutions. It is
generally regarded as an essential mechanism to bring about change, and to measure
and monitor progress.
■ By establishing deadlines, targets can encourage greater and more strategic
collaboration in developing alternatives.
32 A(SP)A, Section 5 (a).
33 Animal Procedures Committee (1998) Press release: Government Announces End To Cosmetic Testing On Animals, available at:
http://www.apc.gov.uk/press_releases/981126b.htm. Accessed on: 1 Apr 2005.
277