Time to rethink animal testing

Re: “Quebec lab accused of abusing animals” (Montreal Gazette, March 13)

Considering recent provincial animal-welfare legislation, it is surprising that a Los Angeles-based animal rights organization is calling on the Quebec government to investigate allegations of animal cruelty at a research lab in the West Island.

In December 2015, the Quebec government understood that “animals are not things” but do experience emotions, and feel physical and psychological pain, and were recognized as “sentient beings with biological needs.”

That said, “hitting, slapping and holding dogs up by their ears and throwing them into their cages,” as is alleged, is unacceptable; it is time for a closer look at some guiding principles that have been around for years to ensure more ethical use of animals in testing.

The 1959 book The Principles of Humane Experimental Technique, by W.M.S. Russell and R.L. Burch, proposed the concept of Three Rs: Replacement, Reduction and Refinement.

Later, in 1978, physiologist David Henry Smyth wrote Alternatives to Animal Experiments, which expanded on the Three Rs and suggested non-animal methods for testing, such as computer modelling.

Reduction alternatives refers to methods using fewer animals by maximizing the data from the same number of animals. Refinement alternatives considers the use of non-invasive techniques to minimize pain and distress.

Quebec should consider the aforementioned and think about gradually no longer using animals for testing.

We could become leaders regarding animal welfare, rather than find ourselves again in this disreputable state.

Chris Eustace, Pierrefonds