Animal Welfare in Biomedical Research

Animal Testing in Biomedical Research

United States and international laws require testing of drug candidates in biological systems, including animals, before testing in humans begins. It would be impossible to determine the ultimate safety of many pharmaceutical products without the use of tests involving laboratory animals. According to a recent report by the Society of Toxicology, research using laboratory animals remains the most reliable method of determining the toxicity of chemical substances and their risk to human health and the environment. Without the use of tests involving laboratory animals it would be difficult, if not impossible, to determine the ultimate safety of many of the pharmaceutical products we use today.

Society of Toxicology Animals in Research

Abbott is committed to the highest standards of humane care and treatment of our laboratory animals. Our laboratory animal research programs and facilities meet or exceed the United States and European Union regulations, as well as those in other countries. We have sought and maintained accreditation for all of our animal programs from the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International (AAALAC), the organization that helps to ensure optimal animal care and use practices as set forth in the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals and other international standards and regulations for animal welfare. AAALAC accreditation is entirely voluntary, and is widely considered to be the best way to meet and maintain high standards of animal care and use.

Our animal research efforts are guided by our Global Animal Welfare Policy, which ensures that our animal programs, as well as our animal-related suppliers and contract laboratories, meet our standards.

We employ the "3 Rs" to alternative approaches to animal research:

1) Refine experimental procedures to avoid or minimize pain or distress;

2) Reduce the number of animals used in any tests conducted to the minimum for valid results; and

3) Replace the need for animal testing through alternative research methods.

Abbott's Global Animal Welfare Policy and Supplier Guidelines

High Standards of Animal Care

Abbott animal research efforts are guided by our Global Animal Welfare Policy, which ensures that our animal programs, as well as our animal-related suppliers and contract laboratories, meet our high standards of animal care. Our suppliers must adhere to certain guidelines regarding animal welfare. Using animals in any testing or process should only occur after alternate methods have been fully explored and rejected. Animals shall be treated humanely, minimizing pain and distress. Contract and collaborating laboratories must be accredited by AAALAC or their laboratory animal care and use program must be assessed by Abbott veterinary staff or Animal Welfare Officers and approved by the Corporate Animal Welfare Committee prior to placement of work and, thereafter, on a periodic basis.

Governance of Our Animal Research: Abbott's Corporate Animal Welfare Committee

Abbott's Corporate Animal Welfare Committee, which reports to our chief ethics and compliance officer, guides our position and global policies on animal testing. This group comprises animal welfare experts from across the company who continually evaluate and ensure the quality of our animal programs, facilities, research practices and procedures.

Abbott's Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees

Abbott's Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees serve as review boards that independently evaluate and approve our internal protocols before testing in animals can begin. The IACUC members help to ensure compliance with our animal welfare standards. They also perform semiannual facility inspections to see first-hand that the animals are healthy and well cared for. The IACUC reports to high-level institutional officials to ensure that our animal programs function optimally with adequate management and financial support.

CARE Group

The Abbott Caring for Animals in the Research Environment (CARE) group also works to encourage technicians to become involved in maintaining and raising company standards for animal welfare. The CARE group is unique to Abbott. It sponsors annual seminars on important animal research topics, and works on initiatives to enhance our overall program. One example of its work is the recent development of a more comprehensive training program including both computer-based and hands-on training modules to ensure best practices are used consistently when handling animals.

Employee Training

This year we have placed an increased emphasis on educating our research investigators to be knowledgeable about our animal welfare policies and new techniques to potentially reduce the need for animals in research by expanding our employee training program. Employees involved in any aspect of our animal research program are required to attend regular training that addresses humane care and use of research animals. We utilize new employee seminars, computer-based training modules, and hands-on training to ensure best practices and proficiency in handling and research techniques.

Alternatives Subcommittee

Abbott has created an Alternatives Subcommittee consisting of research staff and veterinarians with the aim of looking for alternative methods that we can adopt into our program. Whenever possible, we adopt alternatives (the "3 Rs") to animal research by:

1) Refining experimental procedures to avoid or minimize pain or distress;

2) Reducing the number of animals used in any tests conducted to the minimum for valid results; and

3) Replacing the need for animal testing through non-animal research methods.

Currently, Abbott uses cell-based (in vitro) alternative methods that replace whole animal (in vivo) testing, whenever possible. When these in vitro methods show a compound to be toxic or less effective than others, that particular compound can often be eliminated from further testing in animals. However, we have an ethical obligation to fully understand the potential health benefits of our products versus the risk of negative effects.

Animal Welfare Award

Abbott has created an Animal Welfare Award to recognize individuals and teams who work to advance animal welfare at Abbott through the adoption of one of the 3 Rs. There are three levels of awards that serve to recognize a range of enhancements to the animal welfare program.

Pioneering Alternatives and Animal Care Excellence (PACE Research Grant)

Abbott is funding several annual research grants through the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine. The purpose of these grants is to fund research into alternatives including refinements that promote animal care excellence.

Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT)

Abbott also provides an annual donation to the Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing to help sponsor research into alternatives and other important animal welfare initiatives.

European Partnership for Alternatives to Animal Testing (EPAA)

In addition, Abbott provides an annual donation to the European Partnership for Alternatives to Animal Testing to help sponsor research into alternatives and other important animal welfare initiatives. Abbott is dedicated to providing funds that can help to advance the search for alternatives.