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Starting Point for Non-scientists
If you are not a scientist but would like to learn more about animal use in science (including research,
teaching, testing and production of animals and biologics for scientific purposes), then the resources in
this section will provide you with basic introductory information and help familiarize you with the topics
on the rest of the website.
The Three Rs
It is widely accepted that the humane scientific use of animals should be guided by the concept of the
Three Rs: Replacement, Reduction and Refinement alternatives.
- Replacement alternatives refers to methods which avoid or replace the use of animals
in an area where animals would otherwise have been used. This includes both absolute replacements
(i.e. replacing animals with inanimate systems, such as computer programs) and relative replacements
(i.e. replacing more sentient animals, such as vertebrates, with animals that current scientific
evidence indicates have a significantly lower potential for pain perception, such as some invertebrates).
- Reduction alternatives refers to any strategy that will result in fewer animals being used
to obtain sufficient data to answer the research question, or in maximizing the information obtained per
animal and thus potentially limiting or avoiding the subsequent use of additional animals, without
compromising animal welfare.
- Refinement alternatives refers to the modification of husbandry or experimental procedures
to minimize pain and distress, and to enhance the welfare of an animal used in science from the time it is
born until its death.
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The term "animal welfare" is widely used to refer to the quality of life of animals. One approach to
understanding animal welfare is the Five Freedoms of the UK Farm Animal Welfare Council. These Freedoms
were originally defined to give guidance to farmers on the goals of husbandry; however, the Freedoms
are also appropriate for animals used in science.
The Five Freedoms are:
- Freedom from hunger and thirst (by ready access to fresh water and a diet to maintain full health
and vigour)
- Freedom from discomfort (by providing an appropriate environment including shelter and a comfortable
resting area)
- Freedom from pain, injury and disease (by prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment)
- Freedom to express normal behaviour (by providing sufficient space, proper facilities and company of the
animal's own kind)
- Freedom from fear and distress (by ensuring conditions and treatment which avoid mental suffering)
In Canada, a peer-review process governs animal use for research, teaching, testing and production of animals
and biologics for scientific purposes. The Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) is the national agency
responsible for setting and maintaining standards for the care and use of animals used in science throughout
Canada. Prior to using animals, investigators are required to put their intended study through an ethical
review process and demonstrate that they have applied the Three Rs.
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Resources for Non-scientists
For more information on the Canadian system of oversight and ethical review, the following resources may be useful:
For more introductory information on animal use in research, the following resources may be useful:
For more introductory information on animal use in teaching, the following resources may be useful:
For more introductory information on animal use in testing, the following resources may be useful:
- National Research Council (NRC) (2005) Safety testing. In: Science, Medicine and Animals. p. 21-28. Washington DC: National Academies Press.
For more introductory information on the use of animals and biologics for scientific purposes, the
following resources may be useful:
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