AR-News: (N.Z.) seeking dialogue on animal research

[Mary Finelli]

ANIMAL-BASED RESEARCH: A NEED FOR INFORMED DIALOGUE
Guest editorial - Social and ethical issues
BioScience News and Advocate, February 12, 2004


Let us consider a biological question that appears simple at first sight and 
reasonable to answer; however, in attempting to answer it, one enters 
controversial territory and a sometimes hostile public reaction.

The biological question is, what defines a “human disease state” (let’s 
limit ourselves to heritable diseases), and the necessary corollary, how can 
the disease state be corrected? The answer to the question is usually first 
undertaken by manipulating the gene and protein expression programmes of an 
animal such as a mouse, rat, sheep or fish. This work is predicated on the 
notion that the expression programmes mentioned above are shared between 
species so that working on the mouse, for example, will tell us something 
about what happens in humans.

That our knowledge is imperfect in this area, and the means of effecting 
changes in expression programmes lacks control in a highly regulated manner, 
can be used as arguments against this type of research. Indeed, when allied 
to the fact that animals are being manipulated, albeit to achieve a 
scientifically justified outcome with human health benefits (proposed, but 
sometimes yet to be proven), then the public’s concern about such research 
is heightened. Therefore in seeking answers to our question, we have the 
twin dilemmas of genetic engineering and animal-based research.
Biological Safety Committees and Animal Ethics Committees (AECs) play a 
significant role is assessing the research described above. In terms of the 
latter, the deliberations are not open to the public, and calls for 
transparency have been made.

>From my perspective, the call should be made for increased dialogue between 
the research community and the general public. This dialogue should address 
the scientists’ need to know and appreciate the views of the general public 
on animal-based research, while also raising the public’s awareness and 
understanding of the intent and impact of scientific research on animals. 
This dialogue should be an ongoing one based on the acknowledgement that 
identifying and building upon common ground will provide a way forward.

The Australian and New Zealand Council for the Care of Animals in Research 
and Teaching (ANZZCART) conference in Christchurch (entitled: Lifting the 
veil: finding common ground) late last year discussed many of the issues 
surrounding animal-based research and the role of AECs in Australasia. This 
conference led to series of recommendations that addressed transparency and 
dialogue (see www.rsnz.govt.nz/advisory/anzccart/).

These recommendations should provide useful starting points for improving 
the dialogue between practitioners, AECs and the public. However, it is 
important to stress that this improvement rests upon personal investment in 
providing information and a willingness to work together in a safe 
environment. I see no reason why this can not be achieved.

Donald R.Love, Associate Professor (Molecular Genetics) School of Biological 
Sciences, University of Auckland New Zealand.

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