How to ensure ethical animal testing
In vitro studies which must be carried out
first, was an "alternative method" that has allowed animal
experimentation to be discontinued in some fields of study.
By Anthony Thanasayan
The proposed Malaysian Animal Welfare Act brings hope for the ethical care and use of animals for research.In the second part of an interview with Dr.Abdul Rahim Mutalib, a veterinarian and president of the KL-based Laboratory Animal Science Association of Malaysia (LASAM), he continued his defence of animal testing as long as it was performed “ethically and to the highest standards”.
According to Abdul Rahim, animal studies can only be carried out following an exhaustive literature search on the current status of that particular field of study and whether there were any existing in vitro studies (data obtained without using animals).
He said in vitro studies which must be carried out first, was an “alternative method” that has allowed animal experimentation to be discontinued in some fields of study.
“However, the number of animals used in research had not seen any significant reduction. This is mainly because more scientists nowadays are using animals in their research and the number of animals used in research remains in the millions worldwide,” explained Abdul Rahim.
He said that in many developed and developing countries, animal experimentation is governed by Acts and official guidelines. He added that these established guidelines are usually published by the countries’ National Research Council or Councils relating to the care and use of animals for research.
According to Abdul Rahim, this was started by scientists 60 to 70 years ago when they realised that animal experimentation had to be carried out on animals with improved health and welfare because “only good quality and healthy animals will give results which are reliable”.
“These guidelines detail the ethical principles of carrying out animal research, and take care of the animals’ welfare before, during and after the experiment,” he said while noting that currently Malaysia does not have any such law or guidelines.
He was however encouraged by the upcoming proposed Malaysian Animal Welfare Act which he revealed would include a section dealing with the use of animals for scientific purposes covering research, testing and teaching.
He felt that the law would bring about proper guidelines to ensure ethical research and improve the welfare of the animals.
“This will also elevate Malaysia’s standing among the research community worldwide in that we carry out research using animals with ethical principles,” said Abdul Rahim.
How animals are researched in Malaysia
“We have used animals for research ever since the Institute for Medical Research (IMR) in KL was established in the early 1900s. I am sure researchers during those early years would have followed some accepted guidelines, perhaps those from overseas, otherwise their findings would not have been accepted by the scientific community and be published in journals,” reasoned Abdul Rahim.
He said that Malaysian researchers realised the need to conform to the global scientific community standards on animal research and studies so in 1954, Malaysia’s first ‘Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) / Animal Ethics Committee (AEC)’ was formed at the IMR to guide researchers on the best practices for animal research.
“IACUC reviews all proposals on studies that use animal models and approve them only if all conditions are met. Currently not less than 12 independent committees exist at various research institutions and universities in Malaysia,” he added.
IACUC has helped ease the process of obtaining approvals from regulatory agencies and ensured the publication of research findings on animals.
“IACUC consists of scientists with in-depth knowledge on the use of animals in research,” said Abdul Rahim who explained that one member must be an experienced veterinarian in the field of laboratory animal science or medicine while another must be a member of the public with no experience in the use of experimental animals.
This was to ensure the opinions and views of the public on the use of animals in research were addressed.
“The principles used by the committee in determining the use of animals in research is the 3R Principle which is, Replacement, Reduction and Refinement. These three principles are closely related to ethics and animal welfare before, during and after studies,” Abdul Rahim explained.
He added that the most important requirement of the proposed animal study was scientific merit.
The responsibilities of the IACUC
Abdul Rahim said that the IACUC is also responsible for the welfare of the animals and has to make sure that the “environment where the animals are confined are comfortable”.
Through reports gained from yearly inspections, the IACUC is then able to recommend improvements that improve the welfare of the animals and reduce their stress.
He said that it was equally important for the committee to conduct training or workshops to ensure that the animals were not unduly stressed.
“The Committee will not permit an untrained person to handle the animals. Reducing or minimising stress on experimental animals is the most important factor in carrying out a study. Animals suffering from stress will produce inaccurate data and the results of the study may not be valid. Eventually, all effort will lead to animal waste. This is unethical,” said Abdul Rahim.
Regulation is the solution
“Experimental animals have been used for a long time in Malaysia. Although there is no specific law or guidelines on the use of animals in research in Malaysia, this does not mean that a researcher can simply do anything on animals to the effect of jeopardising its welfare.
Abdul Rahim said that higher learning and research also have existing policies and procedures on the use of animals. He said that with a proper procedure in place, “the demands of the scientific community worldwide will be met”.
Recommended actions
To conclude, Abdul Rahim said that an act needed to be enacted and official guidelines established in regards to the care and use of experimental animals; with a central body to monitor and regulate the facilities.
“The agency should also function to regulate the licensing of public and private facilities that wish to operate and conduct experiments using animals. This is in line with the practice of developed countries.”
Dr.Abdul Rahim Mutalib can be contacted via email: abrahim.mutalib@gmail.com
Anthony Thanasayan is a FMT columnist
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