[Animal experiments--no vivisection]

Summary of the inaugural address, delivered on September 21, 1988, on the assumption of the special laboratory animal science chair which was created by the Animal and Society Foundation in the University of Nijmegen. The ethical and scientific conditions to prevent that animal experiments have to be disqualified as 'vivisection' are discussed.

Research with animals: requirement, responsibility, welfare

Recognition of unacceptable cruelty to animals in pasttimes such as bull-baiting, dates in Britain from the early 19th century. The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was founded in 1824. Several bills to curb cruelty were discussed in Parliament, and the Cruel and Improper Treatment of Cattle Act was passed in 1822. Other Acts have followed over the years. Cruelty in the form of painful scientific experiments, including dissection of living, conscious animals, vivisection, was proscribed by the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876. That Act required anyone wishing to experiment with animals to obtain a licence from the Secretary of State. Conditions for issue of licences were strict and remain so to this day. The Act is still valid, and is enforced by the Home Office, with its medical and veterinary Inspectors. The Cruelty to Animals Act 1876 allows experiments on animals under strictly controlled conditions. Experiments must have the clear objective of improving the welfare of man and/or animals. Benefits from experiments carried out under the Act have been enormous, covering every aspect of diagnosis, treatment, and prophylaxis in human and veterinary medicine. Coincidentally, the welfare of laboratory animals has also been greatly improved. There has always been some opposition to the use of animals in biomedical research. The subject is emotive but, by and large, discussion has been rational and within the law. In recent years, however, the morality of using experimental animals has been examined more closely. The possibility of replacing them by alternative methods has been investigated. Where these alternatives are applicable, they are used and further research on them continues. The questioning of animal experiments has emphasized the need to look constantly at animal welfare to ensure humane treatment of all animals, especially those restricted in a laboratory or on a farm. Attention has been drawn in this work to our existing laws protecting animals, but new legislation is being demanded, not only by some lay welfare groups but also by scientists. Hence, it has become very important to discuss various ways of ensuring animal welfare, including by legislation, especially with those knowledgeable in laboratory animal science and animal experiments.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Laboratory animal medicine. Changes and challenges

Less than three decades have elapsed since the specialty of laboratory animal medicine was first formally recognized. Tremendous progress and maturation has occurred in this short time frame due in large part to the foresight of early pioneers in the field, attention to the moral and ethical use of animals, and the recognition by the biomedical research community of the indispensable role played by the laboratory animal medicine specialist in forging new knowledge in the biomedical sciences. The ability of laboratory animal medicine specialists to properly balance their efforts in collaborative and independent research, clinical services and teaching, offers exciting challenges and opportunities for veterinarians entering the specialty. Undoubtedly, another challenge to the specialty, currently and in the foreseeable future, is the debate over animal rights which began to ferment in the late 1970's, after lying relatively dorment since the 1950's. A growing number of Americans, including some scientists, contend that animals have inherent rights to a full life, free of intentional pain, even when done in legitimate scientific pursuits; some ardent anti-vivisectionists state that the use of animals in experimental research is immoral. The laboratory animal medicine specialist will have to effectively deal with the administrators of institutions using research animals, the attendant federal and state guidelines and laws regulating their use, and defend the use of laboratory animals to a polarized public, while at the same time ensure the humane care and use of animals under their purview. Certainly, the specialty is squarely placed in a hotly debated dilemma, fraught with ethical, moral, medical, philosophical, religious, and political complexities. I believe the specialty has the vision and maturity, and is indeed ready, to successfully meet that challenge - to assuage public concern, implement new federal policy regarding animal care and use, and maintain the excellent progress in laboratory animal medicine realized in the last 75 years.

Animal welfare and the Australian veterinarian

This paper discusses the moral and philosophical arguments related to animal welfare. The veterinary profession in Australia has, to date, addressed this matter on a superficial and unsatisfactory level. In my view, the Australian Veterinary Association has not yet considered sound philosophical and moral positions in any area of animal welfare. This paper provides some examples of arguments concerning animal rights. It is suggested that the veterinary profession in Australia needs to take heed of these arguments and to develop a philosophy of its own. The profession is not seen to be having sufficient influence on the development of community standards in animal welfare. For example, public statements on the stray cat and dog problem concern the nuisance to human society and little is said of the welfare or rights of the animals themselves. The Australian Veterinary Association has not looked thoroughly at problems of animal welfare in the livestock industries, where the need for attention is urgent. Few veterinarians in Australia have the knowledge and experience to tackle problems in the area of animal experimentation. These include questions of laboratory animal production and disease, as well as those of a moral and philosophical nature. A discussion of ethical problems in studies on animal behaviour points to the lack of experience of veterinarians in this area. Possible mechanisms for statutory control of animal experimentation are explored. Antivivisectionist ideas and the significance of their political influence are outlined.

Vivisection, morals and medicine

If one wishes to accept that some painful animal experimentation can be justified on grounds that benefit is conferred, one is faced with a difficult moral dilemma argues the first author, a philosopher. Either one needs to be able to say why human lives of any quality however low should be inviolable from painful experimentation when animal lives are not; or one should accept that sufficient benefit can justify certain painful experiments on human beings of sufficiently low quality of life. Alternatively, one can reject the original premise and accept antivivisectionism. Replies to his paper follow from an antivivisectionist philosopher and an eminent pharmacologist long involved in animal experimentation. Dr Frey responds to both replies.

Currents and portents in biomedical research

The present progress and prospects of biomedical research are discussed by reference to the syndrome of "restrictive utilitarianism" which governs much of the public and official attitude to research. The signs and symptoms of the condition are described and some of the prophylactic and therapeutic measures that should be taken to offset the threat it poses to the future welfare of man and animals are suggested.

The Brown Animal Sanatory Institution

The history of the Brown Animal Sanatory Institution was intended originally to be published in book form, and was therefore divided into chapters. For the sake of convenience this division has been continued, even though it is unusual for the term to be employed in scientific periodicals. The history will be published serially in four consecutive issues of the Journal of Hygiene. References have presented a difficulty. In two instances the title of the paper referred to has had to be omitted, because no copy of the original journal in which the article appeared has been obtainable. More important, however, is the failure to give references, beyond the date, to a number of statements in the text, because the information in question has been abstracted from sources that are not available to the general reader.

Experience of directing a national laboratory animals centre

The challenges of managing a facility serving a new and developing science are outlined. Basic to success are the appropriate handling of aspects such as staff selection, line management, financial support, changing demands, training and relations with staff unions, welfare organisations and at the international level.