Guidance to help reduce number of mice used in research published by RSPCA
11 March 2009
The RSPCA, along with leading funders of medical research, is calling on scientists to share both information and animals to help reduce the increasing number of genetically-altered (GA) mice used in research.
The RSPCA, Medical Research Council, Cancer Research UK, Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council and the National Centre for Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research are launching new guidance in the form of a booklet. “Sharing and archiving of genetically altered mice: Opportunities for reduction and refinement” is aimed at scientists who use animals in research.
The booklet has been produced by an RSPCA working group in response to discussions about how to reduce and refine the use of GA mice.
The number of GA mice used in scientific procedures has been rising and so the sharing and archiving of such animals is becoming an increasingly important means of both reducing and refining animal use to minimise suffering.
The most recent Home Office figures show that more scientific procedures were carried out on animals in 2007 than any year since 1991. This is largely due to the increasing use of GA animals, which were used in 1.46 million regulated procedures in 2007 (46 percent of all procedures).
The new booklet, which contains information on what to archive and when, how to archive and how to share, along with a list of useful resources, is supported by the Government.
Home Office Minister Meg Hillier said:
"The Government strongly supports initiatives that lead to greater implementation of the 3Rs. I therefore welcome this report and the constructive liaison between the major funding bodies and the RSPCA in working towards this goal.
“The number of genetically-altered mice used in scientific procedures has risen consistently over recent years and this trend appears to be continuing. Whilst the use of these mice has enabled significant advances in science, this increasing use raises practical, scientific and ethical issues.
“As more novel genetically-altered mouse lines are produced, and their use becomes more widespread, the sharing and archiving of information and material related to these animals is becoming an increasingly important means of both reducing animal use and of refining procedures to improve animal welfare.”
The RSPCA and the funders of medical research involved in this project firmly believe that archiving should be part of every research establishment’s GA colony management programme, not only to improve reduction and refinement practices locally, but also to make it easier to share GA mice.
Nikki Osborne, RSPCA Senior Scientific Officer, said:
“This booklet sets out simple measures by which every researcher who creates or uses genetically-altered mice can reduce and refine their animal use.’’
A copy of the booklet is available to download from the NC3Rs website at: www.nc3rs.org.uk/resourcesharing
Press contact: 020 7637 6011
press.office@headoffice.mrc.ac.uk
