Veterinarska stanica, Vol. 53 No. 5, 2022.
Review article
https://doi.org/10.46419/vs.53.5.4
Scientific research in the 21st century: ethical aspects for the use of laboratory animals and alternative models
Ivana Kmetič
orcid.org/0000-0001-5412-7128
; Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Monika Roller
; student
Marina Miletić
; Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Teuta Murati
orcid.org/0000-0001-7157-400X
; Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
Beside the application of classical (in vivo) tests in toxicological studies, the alternative test systems are widely used. The use of experimental animals, embryos, human and animal tissues, cell cultures, and foetal serum is considered ethically questionable and is limited by laws, regulations, and practices. Considering how inhumanity could be avoided, the “3R” principle was developed. It is an acronym for the three approaches that should be carried out according to this principle in research on experimental animals, namely: reduction/ rationalization in the number of experimental animals (Reduction), models for their replacement (Replacement) and improvement of conditions for breeding, accommodation and care for animals (Refinement). Most of the alternative toxicity tests are still in the process of validation. Some of the in vitro embryotoxicity tests (ethically particularly sensitive area), recognized by regulatory authorities are EST (Embryonic Stem cell Test), WEC (Whole-Embryo Culture) and MM (MicroMass) test. Protocol standardization and introduction of new in vitro tests represent an important section in toxicological research progress. This is where the science sees the possibility of incorporating ethics into future research by applying systems that will clever and without the use of living organisms partly replace the methods in biomedicine, veterinary medicine, biotechnology, toxicology and pharmacology.
Keywords
ethics; scientific research; toxicity tests; laboratory animals; 3R principle
Hrčak ID:
264509
URI
Publication date:
20.12.2021.
Visits: 1.416 *