Animal testing - a positive EU proposal to eliminate unnecessary suffering
May 13th, 2009Animal ethics
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Rightly or wrongly, the use of animals in laboratories for scientific experiments is likely to remain a reality for some time.
But that does not mean to say that we cannot work to minimize instances where the practice is used in a wasteful manner, and the case of duplicated experiments, where one group of researchers conduct a particular experiment without knowing that about experiments of a similar nature being conducted by other scientists, represents one area where real gains can be made in this regard.
Toward this end, a European proposal to require sharing of the results of all scientific experiments, regardless of whether they succeed or not, represents a positive step toward the protection of animal welfare.
Duplicated experiments and why they are wasteful
Duplicated scientific experiments occur whereby a particular research team conducts an experiment in order to test a particular hypothesis, unaware that experiments of a similar nature have already been conducted elsewhere in the world.
From what I understand, this situation occurs as a result of current practice in many parts of the world, which dictate that scientist share the results of experiments only where such experiments prove to be successful in terms of validating the original hypothesis. Experiments which are not successful in this regard are generally not made public, creating the situation whereby other scientists, unaware of the failed experiment in question, may well conduct experiments of a similar nature, resulting in the effective duplication of the experiment in question.
Not only is such duplication wasteful from a scientific, it is also wasteful from an animal rights viewpoint in cases where the duplicated experiment in question involves use of animal testing.
The European proposal
It is for these (very sound) reasons that the European Union is proposing to require public disclosure of all experiments which require animal testing.
The proposal is one of many contained a proposed new directive which essentially represents a revision to EU rules about the protection of animals used for scientific purposes. The new directive was approved in a European Parliament Vote earlier this month, but as I understand it, must be ratified by individual countries prior to becoming law in any particular country. (refer article for summary)
Essentially, subject to confidentially considerations, the proposed directive requires all EU countries to share information with regard to all experiments which involve animal testing.
Specifically, article 44 (2) of the proposed new directive states that “.. subject to safeguarding confidential information, the member states shall ensure the sharing of data generated by procedures.” (article 44 (2)).
From what I understand, the requirement will apply to all types of experiments involving animals which occur within the EU, whether they be conducted by government bodies or by the private sector.
A strong case for sharing, a weak one against
I broadly concur with recent views expressed in The Economist that this initiative represents a positive step forward in terms of the protection of animal welfare within Europe.
The benefits of eliminating the type of wasteful duplication of experiments described above, both from a scientific viewpoint and an animal rights viewpoint, are clear and beyond reasonable dispute.
In contrast, there would not appear to me to be any particularly strong arguments against the proposal. This is especially the case as the requirement in question is subject to confidentiality considerations, which would appear to address any concerns on the part of companies with regards to the leaking of commercially sensitive information.
Some Duplication inevitable, but this is a good start
Naturally, it should be noted that some duplication of experiments involving animal testing will inevitably occur in spite of the proposed directive.
For one thing, the directive applies only within the EU, meaning that laboratories within the EU may still unknowingly replicate failed experiments from laboratories outside the EU and vice versa.
Even within the EU, some duplication will occur. To some extent, scientists may still need to replicate earlier experiments by others in order to check and confirm the results of such experiments.
But for the most part, the proposed new requirement should help to reduce the occurrence of unnecessary duplication of experiments within the EU, and that is a positive step in terms of both scientific progress and animal welfare.
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