Abstract
The entire world is aware of the importance of animal experimentation in biomedical research, especially the use of animals during the production of vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 disease. Hence, animal experimentation will remain a highly prioritized domain in the future too.
Going through history, animal studies in India were begun by scientists in 1860. Distressed by the suffering of the Indian strays and draught animals, Mr Colesworthey Grant founded the first Indian Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) in 1861 in Calcutta, India.
In India, animal experimentation comes under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (PCA Act) 1960 and the rules were amended in 1998 and 2001.
The Committee for the Purpose of Control and Supervision of Experiments on Animals (CPCSEA) is a statutory body established in 1964 under Section 15(1) of Chapter 4 of the PCA Act. Currently CPCSEA is under the Ministry of Animal Husbandry and Dairying and Fisheries, Government of India. CPCSEA ensures the registration of animal facilities and oversees the implementation of 3Rs, Harm–Benefit analysis, to avoid unnecessary suffering and pain before, during or after the experiments through its nominees in the Institutional Animal Ethics Committee (IAEC). In India, more than 2300 animal facilities are registered with CPCSEA for conducting animal experiments using small and large animals. This number is increasing continually. Animal experimentation is driven by pharmaceutical industries and government/academic institutions with different objectives. The self-funded pharmaceutical industries mainly target to invent new molecules against diseases, while government and academic institutions’ primary focus is on basic research and award educational degrees. All registered institutions follow the CPCSEA guidelines. However, there is a massive gap concerning facility infrastructure, trained workforce, housing conditions, quality feed, advanced equipment, enrichment programme, quality of animals, occupational health hazards programme, et cetera, between the pharmaceutical industries and government/academic organizations. Looking at the vast amount of animal utilization in biomedical research, there is an urgent need to implement the ‘Bench-to-Bedside’ approach.
Further, reproducibility in animal research cannot be ignored. This can be achieved by adequately designing animal experiments, adopting international guidelines such as the ARRIVE guidelines, using quality animals, skilled manpower, et cetera. The continuing education/training should be strictly implemented in the programme. CPCSEA has recently notified all the registered establishments that qualified veterinarians should be appointed on a permanent/temporary basis, and they must be a part of the IAEC. This is a significant step by the CPCSEA to look after the animal welfare aspect. Due to fund and space constraints, many animal facilities adopt conventional/open cage housing systems. These should be replaced with barrier type housing such as positive pressure isolators or an Individually Ventilated Caging system to improve the quality of animals for research. In India, CPCSEA has adopted the principles of the 3Rs; however, IAEC should monitor its execution regularly; post-approval monitoring should be made mandatory for all establishments.
The Laboratory Animal Scientists’ Association (LASA), India, is dedicated to advancing laboratory animal science by promoting laboratory animals’ ethical care and use in biomedical and veterinary research. The Indian College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (ICLAM) establishment in June 2020, officially supported by the LASA, India, is a remarkable achievement. The ICLAM mission is to provide speciality training to veterinarians in laboratory animal medicine by adhering to 3Rs principles, advances in veterinary care and welfare, animal resource management, teaching and research in laboratory animals. The ICLAM is envisaged as a non-profit scientific organization entitled to award Diplomate status to the veterinarians after successful completion of board examination. The official journal of LASA India, Journal of Laboratory Animal Science, its first issue being published in 2011, helps researchers to publish their research findings.
A Certificate Course in Laboratory Animal Science was initiated to promote humane, judicious and scientific handling and management of laboratory animals. FELASA has accredited this course for Species: Rodents and Fish species (functions A, B, C & D). This is the only course accredited by FELASA outside Europe. This training programme intends to provide the foundation for responsible use of laboratory animals and achievement of high scientific standards and enable the scientists to be fully competent to undertake animal work on their responsibility. I started my career in 2005 and have witnessed the exponential growth of laboratory animal science in India over the last 17 years. I strongly feel that harmonization of animal welfare guidelines across the globe is necessary to maintain uniform standards in laboratory animal science.
