わが国における動物実験倫理指針の運用と課題

抄録

Based on the Law for the Humane Treatment and Management of Animals, the Ministry of the Environment specifies “Standards Relating to the Care and Management of Laboratory Animals and Relief of Pain”. Regarding the use of laboratory animals, Japan has avoided stringent laws and regulations and adopted a system of rationalization based on voluntary management in each institution. These measures are intended to reinforce the independence of institutions to promote creative and flexible research. By legalization of the 3R-principle, ministries promoting science and technology have established basic policies for rationalization of animal experimentation in research institutions under their jurisdiction. The Science Council of Japan formulated the “Guidelines for Proper Conduct of Animal Experiments”. These guidelines were elaborated by collaboration of representatives from all scientific fields related to animal experiments including biological, pharmaceutical, agricultural, veterinary and medical sciences. To verify the voluntary management of laboratory animal care and use, 1) a collaborating committee of laboratory animal facilities of national, public and private universities, 2) Japan Health Sciences Foundation and 3) Japanese Society for Laboratory Animal Resources are investigating or testing third party evaluation systems, respectively. Accreditation by AAALAC International has been completed for seven facilities in Japan.