WORLD DAY FOR LABORATORY ANIMALS
FRIDAY - APRIL 24, 1998
7:30am to 1:00pm
WISEMAN HALL - Ohio State Campus - 410 W. 12th Ave.
The numbers of animals used for experimentation and education at Ohio State
University increased by 51% from 1996 to 1997.
POET continues to be very concerned about the animals used in projects
where pain and distress are not relieved. Approx. $500,000 (your tax dollars)
are being directed toward a series of projects using mice where pain and
distress are not relieved. Animals are placed in a stressed environment in
hopes of causing Epstein-Barr Virus and/or to better understand mechanisms
controlling the immune response to stress. Interesting to note is that much of the same work is already
being done using humans. It is time to halt the animal projects and use the
money to help people directly.
The number of primates reported at OSU is listed as 52 for 1997. This
number will increase in 1998 unless the xenotransplant project of Dr. Robert
Michler is halted. In December, ILACUC (Institutional Laboratory Animal
Care and Use Committee) approved a Michler project which will use 60 pigs
and 120 baboons. While the original protocol called for the animals to be
euthanized, POET has since learned that after the xenotransplantion,
researchers plan to keep a selected number of baboons alive for at least two
years. In a March 1998 press release, Campaign for Responsible
Transplantation, made the following statement: “Evidence mounts, on a
weekly basis, that we should not be transplanting virally contaminated animal
organs into humans. Baboons and pigs are still designated organ donors for
xenotransplants, despite warning by prominent virologists that (the animals)
harbor several endogenous retroviruses, some that can infect human cells.”
There is no way to screen for viruses that are not yet known. Scientists
continue to discover new viruses in primates and pigs that were heretofore
unknown.
Last fall, the AAVS launched a campaign to stop the production of
monoclonal antibodies (MAb ) in animals. There are in vitro (animal-free)
alternatives available which produce purer antibodies. The Office of
Protection from Research Risks has issued a letter stating that ILACUC’s
are expected to critically evaluate the use of the mouse ascites (edema)
method. There is evidence that the mouse ascites method of MAb production
causes discomfort, distress, or pain. The OSU ILACUC should evaluate
projects involving MAb production in mice. It’s time to stop the suffering and
pain!
UPDATE:
After a complaint was filed with NIH OSU changed their policy concerning MaB.
Will include information.