ATLA::Alternatives to Laboratory Animals

Volume 31, Number 3

Buying or making, what's it to be? The choice between acquiring or generating genetically modified animals or embryos in the light of the Three Rs.

Nina Cohen and Tjard De Cock Buning

Department of Animals & Society, University of Utrecht, Yalelaan 17, 3584 CL Utrecht, The Netherlands

SUMMARY

This paper discusses whether acquiring genetically modified animals or embryos from an existing strain, as opposed to generating a new founder, is to be preferred, with respect to animal use and animal distress. To address this question, the results of an inventory performed in 17 Dutch research institutes are presented. It is argued that the acquisition of embryos is to be preferred to the acquisition or generation of animals. Furthermore, it is argued that patenting may lead to the generation of already existing strains.

Keywords: animal welfare, embryos, genetically modified animals, patenting, Three Rs