Scientists use more animals for research

New Zealand scientists used 254,453 animals for research in 2016 and a quarter of them died or were euthanized.

A report from the Department of Primary Industries shows a 13% increase in the number of animals used for research, testing, and education, compared to 2015.

The number of deaths or euthanized decreased from 25,799 to 62,401, or 24.5% of animals used.

Rabbits and rodents had the lowest survival rates, with a mortality rate of 95.5%, while 98% of cattle and sheep survived.

READ MORE:
* Monkeys in a nicotine experiment can relax. Their future improves
* New $ 50 million animal research facility announced by the University of Otago
* Scientists use fewer animals in experiments

Livestock represents nearly 65% ​​of the animals used. Cattle were the most commonly used species, representing 41% of the total, followed by sheep (19%), mice (13%) and fish (8%).

MPI, Animal Welfare Officer Dr. Kate Litten said that the increase in staff was mainly due to the increased use of livestock for research, testing and testing. 39, veterinary education.

"It was good to see a decrease in the number of animals dead or euthanized.The number of animals returned to the owners or released into the wild was up from previous years," Litten said.

But the New Zealand Society Against Vivisection ( NZAVS) stated that there were fundamental scientific issues related to the use of animal models to predict human outcomes. Animals are still used in New Zealand The Executive Director of NZAVS, Tara Jackson, said:

The company also challenged the number of animals used for educational purposes, up 3.4% to reach 30,396 in 2016.

A lot of m Viable, sophisticated and humane teaching methods were readily available and did not involve the use of live animals, Jackson says.

"At a minimum, the use of animals for educational purposes should only be in the history Debra Ashton, chief executive of Save Animals from Exploitation (Safe), said the numbers were extremely disappointing

"We need to end animal testing and devote our resources to efforts that are not limited to those of New Zealand." Livestock account for nearly 65 percent of all animals. used and this last report is another example of how we put profits ahead of animal welfare. "

Zealanders l People admit that it is unacceptable to cause suffering to a single animal when alternatives exist. "

Litten stated that the Animal Welfare Act required an ethical code of conduct approved by MPI before the animals were used for research. or teaching.

"Each project must be reviewed and approved by the Animal Ethics Committee that has been established under the code.These committees must ensure that the potential cost to the animals is offset by the potential benefits. or actual obtained by the work, before approving it to go ahead, "she said.

Scientists were to follow the "three R's" Litten said:

Veterinary research (22.9%), screening (20.9%), basic biological research (17.9%) and teaching. (11.9%) were the most common reasons for animal use, accounting for 187,431 animals.

– Stuff