Types of Experimentation
Bio-Medical Research
The majority of animals used in research and teaching in universities and research establishments are used in experiments or procedures which are aimed at finding out more about the processes governing the function of living organisms. Some of this work may be relevant to the understanding of human disease, but most of it will not be. For example, nerve cells may be taken from a rat's brain to be used in the study of how nerve cells work. This information may indicate how human nerve cells work in general. Although most basic scientific research using animals is probably not directly aimed at understanding or treating human disease, most researchers will justify the funding of this research on the grounds that it does have that human relevance. |
Medical Research
Proponents seek to justify medical research using animals on the basis that such research relates to human disease and treatments for those diseases. The bulk of human disease-oriented research is done in universities and specialist institutes, and attracts massive government and private charity funding. Such research continues - with little broad and independent evaluation - because funding bodies and research institutions are reluctant to embrace the possibility that existing animal models and methods have largely failed. To do so would ruin careers, break the ever-present promises to health charities and the community, and knock out existing ‘high tech’ animal breeding (and facilities) supply businesses. |
Agricultural Research
Agricultural research is almost entirely directed towards increasing the productivity of animals kept for food products. A lot of this research involves the study of animals kept in intensive housing systems, One of the main reasons for the adoption of such housing systems is that they minimise the amount of skill required to look after the animals without compromising productivity. It is well established that better training would allow the adoption of more humane methods of keeping animals, while maintaining productivity. The value of this sort of research is questionable. Some genetic engineering of species used in agriculture, e.g. sheep and cattle, is occurring in an attempt to increase production, or to alter the characteristics to the product being produced, Cloning techniques are also being developed, |
Safety Testing
The human safety of medicines, agricultural chemicals and various other chemical products, such as shampoos, cleaners and so on, is assessed by testing the products on animals.[3] Regulatory authorities responsible for the approval of the use of these substances in most countries require animal testing on the substances and it is likely that the requirements in Australia will be met by testing elsewhere for substances intended to be marketed internationally. The tests involved are particularly repugnant, as they usually involve poisoning the animals concerned - death is often the endpoint measured. A particularly extreme example is the Draize rabbit eye test, where the subject substance is put into the eyes of rabbits, often producing horrendous damage and pain. |
Ecotoxicity
Ecotoxicity tests aim to determine the negative effects of chemicals entering the environment. Fish are often used to test for both acute and chronic toxic effects. The standard acute toxicity test is the fish 96-hour LC50 (lethal concentration 50%), which measures the concentration of a chemical that kills 50% of the fish in a 96 hour period. Chronic fish tests last from seven to more than 200 days and the fish are evaluated for growth, hatching and spawning success, and mortality. Both of these tests may also be conducted with crustaceans such as water fleas. No ICCVAM validated non-animal alternatives exist for aquatic toxicity, though some regulatory agencies will accept results from certain non-animal tests. |