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The consequences for not following the rules are so insignificant that many research facilities regard penalties as a cost of doing business. © iStock.com |
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A groundbreaking
editorial by the prominent scientific journal
Nature is echoing the concerns of many in the animal protection community as it calls on the U.S. federal government to strengthen and streamline how protections for animals used in research are overseen and enforced.
Slap on the Wrist
While the first half of the editorial focuses on violence against animal researchers, it goes on to note that the current regulatory framework is made up of several agencies and associations, none of which is able to effectively cease operations at research facilities that allow animals to suffer under their care. The editorial was published in the February 5 issue of the journal.
A slap on the wrist is how many would categorize the penalties given to research facilities by the agencies and organizations currently tasked with overseeing and enforcing laws that regulate the care of animals in laboratories. Indeed, the deterrents outlined in the editorial are so infrequent and insignificant that many research facilities merely regard such penalties as a cost of doing business.
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Last year, in response to this problem, The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) aided in passing legislation that increased the maximum amount that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) can fine a research institution for violating the Animal Welfare Act. However, in the end, the USDA decides the dollar amount of each fine. In addition, the Act fails to give any protection to birds, mice, and rats bred for use in laboratories, the three species that comprise the majority of animals used in research.
Referring to the editorial, Martin Stephens, HSUS vice president for animal research issues, noted that "it's refreshing to see a call for reform coming from within the scientific community. Fixing the U.S. oversight system is particularly important given that the current standards are only minimal and that oversight agencies rely heavily on research facilities to police themselves."
Review and Reorganize
In an attempt to shore up what it regards as a weak system, the Nature editorial urges the federal government to overhaul how regulatory agencies and organizations—including the USDA, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the independent Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Care International—oversee and enforce protections for animals in laboratories.
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The Animal Welfare Act fails to give any protection to mice, rats and birds bred for use in laboratories, the three most commonly used species in research. © iStock.com |
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"The federal government should conduct a thorough review of the regulations concerning animal research to eliminate gaps, ensure compliance and strengthen penalties. Ideally, the oversight powers would be consolidated within a single organization," the editorial argues.
The editorial continues, "Over the long term, this multipronged approach should … open up space for a constructive dialogue about issues in animal research—especially the pursuit of reduction, replacement and refinement of such experiments—that concern both public and researchers alike."
