Animal research: cruel or crucial?
© Understanding Animal Research / Wellcome Images
On October 28, 2011, Dr. John Hepburn, (Vice President, Research and International) sent an email to the UBC community on the subject of animal research. He outlined the university’s plans to increase transparency on its animal research by releasing details on the number of animals and categories of species being used.
According to www.animalresearch.ubc.ca, 211,764 animals were used in research at UBC in 2010. Of those, 56% were rodents, 35% were fish, and 6% were reptiles or amphibians. Chimpanzees, gorillas and orangutans were not studied at all, and are not used for research in Canada primarily due to their classification as endangered species. Instead of these primates, rhesus macaques are often used in research. At UBC they are involved in studies investigating depression, Parkinson’s disease and other brain disorders.
It is worth noting that not all animals involved in research are used in a typical lab setting. Animals involved in catch & release and observational studies are counted, as well as those in laboratory research. The majority (68%) of animal research at UBC involves less than minor or short-term stress to the animal. Examples of this type of research include tagging of wild animals for conservation purposes.
Part of the reason that UBC has not released such details about its animal research until now is because of the potential negative backlash from animal rights activists. Undoubtedly this is a problem that faces every member of the animal research community, and increasingly this is an issue that they are attempting to address.
This video from Understanding Animal Research outlines some of the key reasons why animal research is critical in modern society.
Highlighted in this video is what can happen when proper animal research and testing is not carried out on drugs prior to their release to the public. Thalidomide was sold starting in 1957 as an effective tranquilizer and painkiller, often prescribed to pregnant women to treat morning sickness. However, thalidomide caused major birth defects in over 10,000 children, and was outlawed in most countries by 1962. Much stricter testing is now required on drugs before they can be approved for sale as a result of the thalidomide disaster, often referred to as one of the worst medical tragedies of modern times.
In today’s society where humans are extremely close to their pets, animal research is often though of as harmful and unnecessary. However, not only does animal research help humans, but other animals as well. For example, a cure for feline leukemia, a type of cancer common to both humans and cats, has been found thanks to animal research.
While scientists make every effort not to use animal research by taking advantage of computer modeling, there is only so much an inanimate machine can replicate. If the day ever comes when a computer can accurately represent an animal cardiovascular system, perhaps animal research can stop. Until then we will have to make do with the next best thing, and remain diligent about our ethics.
November 4th, 2011 at 5:05 pm
I think animal research is crucial, because like the example you gave for feline leukemia, it benefits both cats and humans. It says that most of the research done “involves less than minor or short-term stress to the animal.” I don’t think it’s that cruel of us to be doing small tests on rodents.