ALTEX :: Alternatives to Animal Experiments

1990, Volume 1

Problems of Animal Experimentation--Reflections and Practical Approaches

Juerg Meier

Pentapharm AG, CH-Basel

SUMMARY

The discrepancy often seen even in national legislations and their lacking international harmonization form a political problem often neglected in the public discussions on animal experiments. Three proposals might be successful approaches to reduce, refine and replace animal experiments in biomedical research: At the University level, all students dealing with biomedical science should be obliged to follow an EDUCATION in animal protection and welfare; FINANCIAL GRANTS should only support those research projects which include comments showing that the animal experiments under consideration are essential; SCIENTIFIC JOURNALS should include ethical guidelines to be followed in their "Instructions for authors" and these guidelines being supervised by the members of the editorial board.

Keywords: animal experiments, public discussion, national legislation, education, grants, ethical guidelines