Animal Welfare Ethics in Research and Testing: Implementation and its Barrier

Abstract

Animals have an important role in research and testing to improve human and animal health. Animal usage must be balanced between science and ethical values of animal welfare. This paper discusses the role of IACUC, the implications of animal welfare for research, animal ethical clearance and obstacles in the implementation of animal welfare. Institution of Animal Care Use Committee (IACUC) has an important role to ensure that researcher has animal ethical clearance before conducting research and testing. Research and testing using animal should comply with ethical principles: respect, beneficiary and justice; 3Rs principles: Replacement, Reduction, Refinement and 5F/Freedom: freedom from hunger and thirst, heat and discomfort, pain, trauma and disease, fear and stress and expressing behavior naturally. The application of animal ethics clearance in Indonesia in research using animals is compulsary in various institutions, However thera are several barriers in its implementation, Those are: not all research institutions have IACUC, lack of awareness of researchers to apply for animal ethical clearance, reluctant to IACUC requirements, lack of facilities animals that meet animal welfare requirements and lack of competence in animal handling according to animal welfare.

Animal Models in Neuroscience: What Is the “Culture of Care”?

“…The interface between animal welfare and research necessitates a delicate balance between scientific progress and ethical responsibility [16,17]. Animal welfare refers to the appropriate condition of a species based on science and ethics.…”

“…Ensuring animal welfare involves providing optimal living conditions that mimic natural environments tailored to the species' behavioral and physiological needs [10,19]. Enrichment strategies, such as cognitive stimulation and social interactions, are integrated into housing environments to promote mental well-being and prevent boredom or distress [11,16,20]. The PREPARE Guidelines (https://norecopa.no/prepare, accessed on 15 December 2023) are pivotal to guiding researchers toward a meticulous and ethically sound approach [21].…”

“…From transparent communication to continuous improvement, welfare-centric practices, and collaborative education, this review delves into the intricacies of fostering ethical excellence within neuroscience research [16].…”

A Review on Animal Welfare and Ethics Situation in Nepal

“…The application of animal ethics clearance in Indonesia in research using animals is compulsory in various institutions. However, there are several barriers in its implementation, including some research institutions do not have IACUC, some researchers are lack of awareness (Wahyuwardani et al, 2020).…”

Standarisasi Penjaminan Kesejahteraan Hewan Untuk Kemajuan Riset Biomedis

“…Keberadaan dua jenis komisi etik yang berbeda sesuai subyek penelitian merupakan hal yang sejalan dengan standar yang berlaku di berbagai negara seperti Amerika Serikat, Kanada, dan Singapura (Baar et al 2018;Bradfield et al 2018;Gettayacamin et al 2018). Namun, di Indonesia tidak ada aturan tegas tentang pemisahan komisi berbasis subyek penelitian sehingga cukup banyak institusi yang menggabungkan kaji etik penelitian dengan subyek hewan dan yang mengikutsertakan manusia dalam naungan komisi yang sama, yakni Komisi Etik Penelitian Kesehatan (KEPK) (Wahyuwardani et al 2020). Secara umum operasional KEPK di berbagai institusi mengacu pada pedoman yang diterbitkan oleh Komite Etik Penelitian dan Pengembangan Kesehatan Nasional (KEPPKN) dibawah Kementerian Kesehatan Republik Indonesia.…”