The Society for Animal Rights Protection (SARP) has organised a webinar with the theme: The Welfare of Laboratory Animals
The webinar, according to the society, was to facilitate the understanding of living processes and how they can be disturbed. Pointing out basic medical research and the use of experimental animals that are inevitable.
It cites the example of cancer research, where experimental animals were used to understand the biological principle involved in the formation of cancerous cells through the use of animal models. The mechanisms of tumour formation and growth are also more closely understood, making novel therapeutic approaches possible with attendant benefits to humanity.
A statement by the President and Chief Executive Officer of Society for Animal Rights Protection, Dr Ibikunle Faramade, notes that the webinar centered on the topic: “Interrogating the Principle of Replacement, Reduction and Refinement in Animal Research – The Journey So Far in Nigeria” would be delivered by an expert in the field of animal experimentation and a Professor of Veterinary Virology who is also the incumbent Chairman, Animal Care and Use Research Ethics Committee (ACUREC), University of Ibadan, Professor D.O. Oluwayelu.
Professor Oluwayelu has three decades cognate teaching and research experience in viral diseases of livestock, companion animals and wildlife; arboviruses, emerging viruses and viral zoonoses. He is surely a round peg in a round hole!”
The statement adds that the lecture would come up on Thursday 20th March, 2025 by 3pm (West Africa Time) via Google meet with the link: https://meet.google.com/qzv-ykas-nhk
Animal experiments are also necessary for research into infectious diseases. This is necessary to identify the routes of infection and the mechanism of immune response to mention but a few. This is rooted in such fields as bacteriology, virology, pathology, parasitology, and immunology. It is necessary to unravel the complex interrelationship in the disease process in the living organism. It also involves comparative studies of the function of the nervous system, the cardiovascular system, and the mode of action of hormones.”
“An excellent example of medical application of knowledge from research involving animal experimentation is the development of methods for treating diabetes mellitus. In the 1920s, insulin was identified as a hormone that regulates blood sugar concentration. Studies on dogs and rabbits led to the discovery and helped to understand the action of insulin on blood sugar concentration. In 1923, Canadian Scientists, Frederick Banting, and J.J.R. McLeod was awarded the Nobel Prize for the discovery of insulin.”
Today, as a result of ethical considerations and recognition of the principle of animal sentience, catalogues of regulations have been developed to safeguard the lives of experimental animals, reduce over-exploitation and prevent prolong exposure to distress and cruelty among others.”
“This is why the Society for Animal Rights Protection, Nigeria, is organizing a webinar on the fundamental principles guiding the use of animals for experiments, i.e., the principle of Replacement, Reduction and Refinement. How far have we gone in this practice of this guideline in Nigeria? Are their gaps to fill? What are the available alternatives if we must exercise caution in our use of animals for experiments? These are some of the probing questions the webinar is poised to answer.”
