LAST Sunday's article ('Uniquely Singapore lab mice and
micro-pigs') reported that new facilities will be set up at Lim Chu
Kang and Tuas to breed 600,000 mice and rats annually and 200
micro- pigs for scientific research.
Animals are sentient beings and therefore capable of feeling
pain. As much as it may be 'critical to have a consistent and
reliant supply of animals in research', as stated by a researcher
here recently, it is also critical to reduce the number of animals
that endure endless pain and suffering daily in the name of
science.
As Singapore expands its role in lab animal research, the
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) is
concerned and interested to know the advances made or being made
towards achieving the three principles, mentioned by the National
Advisory Committee for Laboratory Animal Research (Naclar) chairman
Bernard Tan, on which animal research rests.
The three principles are replacement (using alternative methods
where possible); reduction (in numbers used); and refinement
(limiting their suffering).
There has been no mention either as to whether the original
Naclar-formulated guidelines of 2003 on humane treatment have been
improved upon in terms of standards for the husbandry and care of
laboratory animals. These were found by the Royal Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to be inadequate.
The SPCA acknowledges that animal experimentation has helped
improve or save human life, but not without immeasurable animal
suffering. The industry should be mindful of this and strive to
work towards excellence in seeking alternative research
methods.
Deirdre Moss (Ms)
Executive Officer
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
(SPCA)