ILAR Journal Online, Volume 32(1) 1990: State of the Art

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ILAR Journal V32(1) 1990
State of the Art

AMA White Paper on Animal Use--A Review

The American Medical Association (AMA) recently released a white paper (position document) entitled "Use of Animals in Biomedical Research," which clarifies the issue of animals in research for the American public. The document, 25 pages in length, comprises eight sections and a bibliography.

An "Executive Summary" (Chapter 1) provides an overview on animal rights versus animal welfare concerns, illustrates some recent activities of animal rights activists, and replies to each of the major issues raised by the animal rights movement. Following this summary is an "Introduction" (Chapter 2), which identifies the goals of the document. These include a description of the role of research animals in medical science, discussion of the challenges that have been raised by animal rights and animal welfare advocates, presentation of choices that face the public, and the consequences of decisions on those choices.

Tracing the history of animal use in scientific research and an in-depth discussion of experiments that require the use of animals is the topic of Chapter 3. Chapter 4 details the challenge of the animal rights and animal welfare movement to animal research. It presents a historical overview of the animal rights movement, including the philosophical basis of the movement, its growth and organization, and its strategic objectives and activities.

Chapter 5 presents a "Response by the Research Community to Arguments Raised by Animal Rights Activists." Included in this chapter is a discussion of the validity and justification of using animals in biomedical and behavioral research. Examples of some medical and veterinary medical advances made through the use of animal research are given. Also in this chapter are discussions concerning the conduct of animal research, with emphasis placed on the clinical value of basic research, the requirement for verification of experimental results (duplication), and the numbers and types of animals used. Other items addressed include a justification for using nonhuman primates as experimental subjects, the issue of animal pain, and alternatives to animal use.

Chapter 6 traces the "Legislative and Regulatory Activities of Animal Cause Organizations" with details regarding animal care and pound laws. "Philosophic and Moral Issues" is the title of Chapter 7. Animal rights and animals as subjects of our moral concern are addressed with a utilitarian justification for their use.

The "Conclusion" (Chapter 8) outlines some of the cost benefits of animal research in terms of potential human and animal gains, international economic consequences, and human (and animal) suffering. Although scientists, the public, and legislators desire maximum comfort and minimal pain to research animals, we are reminded that this must be balanced by human pain and suffering if overly protective measures are adopted that impede biomedical research.

The report ends with the following statement: "The Association believes that research involving animals is absolutely essential to maintaining and improving the health of the American people. The Association is opposed to any legislation or regulation that would inappropriately limit such research, and actively supports all legislative efforts to ensure the continued use of animals in research while providing for their humane treatment."

Copies of the white paper may be obtained from Dr. Jerod M. Loeb, Division of Biomedical Science, American Medical Association, 535 North Dearborn Street, Chicago, IL 60610 (312/645-5000).

--Reviewed by Fred W. Quimby