The Ethics of Animal use in Research | Courtney Bannerman | TEDxQueensU

Summary

This PhD researcher at Queen's University discusses the critical role of animal models in understanding the nervous and immune system interactions following spinal cord injuries. They address the ethical concerns and public misconceptions about animal testing, emphasizing the importance of the Three Rs (reduction, replacement, refinement) in research. The speaker advocates for a balanced view, acknowledging the indispensable contributions of animals to medical advancements while recognizing the need for humane and scientifically rigorous practices.

Takeaways

• 🧠 The speaker is pursuing a PhD at Queen's, focusing on interactions between the nervous and immune systems after spinal cord injuries to understand chronic pain and potential treatments.
• 🐭 The research uses a mouse model of spinal cord injury that closely mimics human spinal cord injury, though the use of animals in research is a sensitive topic.
• 📜 In 2019, the speaker responded to a negative article about animal research, arguing that while technology has advanced, animal research remains crucial for medical progress.
• 🏛️ Animal research in Canada is strictly regulated, requiring certification from the Canadian Animal Care Committee, which conducts surprise inspections to ensure compliance.
• 🔍 The three R's of animal research—Reduction, Replacement, and Refinement—guide the ethical use of animals, focusing on minimizing the number and suffering of animals used.
• ⚖️ Although alternative methods like computational modeling and 3D-printed organs are advancing, they cannot yet fully replace animal models for developing human therapeutics.
• 🧬 Shared large datasets and public databases are enhancing research, but cells in a dish or 3D-printed organs lack the complex interactions found in living organisms.
• 🤔 The speaker acknowledges the ethical debate around valuing human life over animal life but emphasizes the significant contributions animals make to biomedical research.
• 💊 Many medical advancements, such as treatments for multiple sclerosis, diabetes, and routine surgeries, were made possible through animal research.
• 🩺 The speaker's research aims to develop better treatments for chronic pain in spinal cord injury patients, contributing to improving their quality of life.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the researcher's PhD at Queen's?

The researcher's PhD focuses on the interactions between the nervous system and the immune system after spinal cord injury, specifically looking at how these interactions lead to chronic pain and potential ways to alter them for pain relief.

Why does the researcher use a mouse model for spinal cord injury?

The mouse model is used because it effectively mimics the human model of spinal cord injury, providing a valuable tool for studying the complex interactions and effects that lead to chronic pain.

What was the researcher's reaction to the article published in the Queen's Journal in February 2019?

The researcher felt that the article negatively depicted animal use in research, suggesting scientists were resistant to change and technological advancement, prompting the researcher to write a response piece.

What is the title of the researcher's response piece to the Queen's Journal article?

The title of the response piece is 'A Letter from a Queen's Researcher: Animal Testing is Unfairly Judged'.

Why did the researcher choose to publish the response piece anonymously?

The researcher chose to publish anonymously due to concerns about how people would receive the piece, as the topic of animal research can be controversial and uncomfortable.

What are the three R's of animal research mentioned in the script?

The three R's are Reduction, Replacement, and Refinement, which guide the ethical use of animals in research by minimizing the number of animals used, finding alternatives to animal use, and improving the welfare of animals involved in research.

What is the role of the Canadian Animal Care Committee in animal research?

The Canadian Animal Care Committee is responsible for granting and renewing certifications of good animal practice every three years, ensuring that institutions adhere to strict ethical and welfare standards in their use of animals for research.

How does the researcher address the criticism that technology has advanced past the need for animal research?

The researcher acknowledges technological advancements but points out that for creating therapeutics for human use, animals and their products cannot yet be completely replaced without hindering the research process.

What is the significance of the researcher's work in developing better therapeutics for spinal cord injury patients?

The researcher's work aims to provide better pain relief for spinal cord injury patients, who often suffer from chronic pain and have limited effective treatment options, by using a combination of computational modeling, cell and tissue culturing techniques, and a new mouse model of spinal cord injury.

How does the researcher balance the ethical considerations of using animals in research with the potential benefits to human health?

The researcher adheres to the three R's of animal research, uses the least sentient organisms possible for clinically relevant data, and supports the idea that supporting animal research doesn't have to be an all-or-nothing approach, allowing for selective support based on the type of research or critical evaluation of methods and conclusions.

What is the researcher's view on the importance of public and patient engagement in research?

The researcher believes that public and patient engagement is increasingly important, especially in uncomfortable topics like animal research, as it allows for a more informed stance and better understanding of the complexities involved.