Food for Thought ... Refinement

Components of animal welfare are generally accepted to include maintenance of good health, minimization of negative states such as pain and enhancement of positive states such as comfort and psychological well-being, and freedom to exhibit behaviors that are natural to the species (Fraser, 2009). In the case of laboratory animals, the first of these is ensured through appropriate veterinary care in compliance with various laws and guidelines (AWA, 1990; PHS, 2002; eU, 2010). these regulations also stipulate that pain and distress should be minimized or eliminated unless scientifically justified. While it is extremely important and indeed a challenge to recognize pain in laboratory animals, it is also imperative and at least as much of a challenge to enhance positive states and meet the needs of the animals to perform species-specific behaviors. In the absence of the opportunity to express normal behaviors, the animals may experience distress, which may be less evident than other aversive states like pain, but nonetheless can contribute to poor animal welfare and compromised data. thus it is imperative that we learn how to assess the mental states of laboratory animals and ultimately address them to the point where research integrity can be preserved. Assessment of the mental states of animals, however, requires a comprehensive understanding of the normal behavioral needs of the species we use in research. Studies done on the domestication of animals, including laboratory animals, consider changes in shelter, space, feeding and drinking, predation, and social environment as all impacting animal welfare in a captive environment (Price, 1999). In considering the environment of laboratory animals, all of these factors play a role in contributing to their mental states. As we continue to use animals in research, we must be mindful of their species-specific needs. While it is reasonable to be pragmatic in our approaches, we should also be knowledgeable and creative in addressing animal welfare in biomedical research. Few biomedical scientists who use animals in research have an in-depth knowledge of laboratory animal science, or if they do, it is limited to one or two species. even fewer have an appreciation for the normal behavior of the species they are using. the research culture appreciates the role of veterinarians in maintaining the health of research animals both in North America and europe. However, behaviorists who can begin to evaluate the mental states of laboratory species are only now becoming recognized as essential participants in the research enterprise. this paper will examine the state of animal welfare in the context of refinement, as first posited by Russell and Burch (1959). Summary The ultimate goal of the Three Rs is the full replacement of animals used in biomedical research and testing. However, replacement is unlikely to occur in the near future; therefore the scientific community as a whole must continue to devote considerable effort to ensure optimal animal welfare for the benefit of the science and the animals, i.e., the R of refinement. Laws governing the care and use of laboratory animals have recently been revised in Europe and the US and these place greater emphasis on promoting the well-being of the animals in addition to minimizing pain and distress. Social housing for social species is now the default condition, which can present a challenge in certain experimental settings and for certain species. The practice of positive reinforcement training of laboratory animals, particularly non-human primates, is gathering momentum but is not yet universally employed. Enhanced consideration of refinement extends to rodents, particularly mice, whose use is still increasing as more genetically modified models are generated. The wastage of extraneous mice and the method of their euthanasia are refinement issues that still need to be addressed. An international, concerted effort into defining the needs of laboratory animals is still necessary to improve the quality of the animal models used as well as their welfare.