NEW ORLEANS – In an awards ceremony held at the Fourth World
Congress on Alternatives and Animal Use in the Life Sciences on
August 14th, The HSUS bestowed its 2002 Russell & Burch
Award to Dr. David Morton for his pioneering work in developing
and promoting refinement measures that minimize animal pain and
distress in research.
Dr. Morton is Professor and Head of the Department of
Biomedical Science and Biomedical Ethics at the University of
Birmingham in England. He also serves as the Director of the
University’s Unit of Biomedical Services, which provides
laboratory animal management services. Through his research,
writings, and participation in alternatives conferences and
other professional activities, Dr. Morton has been one of the
world’s leading figures in the field of refinement since the
1980s.
Dr. Morton was a pioneer in the area of refinement known as
“humane endpoints.” This approach allows scientists to halt
experiments that cause animal suffering when certain behaviors
or symptoms indicate that death or extreme suffering would
result if the researcher were to complete the experiment.
Dr. Morton developed scoring systems for assessing the
impact of experimental procedures on the welfare of laboratory
animals. These systems not only provide an overall measure of
the impact of experiments in terms of animal suffering and
harm, but they are also used to identify early clinical signs
that reliably predict experimental outcomes, such as death.
Once identified, these early signs (e.g., changes in body
temperature) can often be substituted for the standard
endpoints, which is typically death. Thereby, the system allows
the termination of experiments before the onset of severe pain,
distress, or death and spares the animals the associated
suffering.
According to Dr. Martin Stephens, HSUS vice president for
animal research issues, “Our expert panel of judges, many of
whom are past recipients of the Russell & Burch Award, were
impressed not only with Professor Morton’s technical
contributions to the field of alternative methods, but also his
tireless advocacy of refinement techniques as a means of
improving both animal welfare and science.”
The HSUS presents the Russell & Burch Award to
scientists who have made outstanding contributions toward the
advancement of alternative methods in the areas of biomedical
research, testing, or higher education.
Alternative methods are those that can replace or reduce the
use of animals in specific procedures, or refine procedures so
that animals experience less pain or suffering.
The award, which carries a $5,000 prize, is named in honor
of William M. Russell and Rex L. Burch, the scientists who
formulated the Three Rs approach of replacement, reduction, and
refinement. The award is bestowed every three years at the
World Congresses on Alternatives and Animal Use in the Life
Sciences, which this year is being held in New Orleans and is
being hosted primarily by The HSUS.
Candidates for the award are judged on the scientific merit
of their contribution to the alternatives field and on their
professional commitment to this field.
