The International Council for Laboratory Animal Science (ICLAS) is an international scientific organisation dedicated to improving human and animal health by promoting the ethical care and use of laboratory animals in research worldwide.
ICLAS exists to promote high standards of animal care and use in education, research, testing and diagnosis. The organisation also promotes good science and encourages humane practices in scientific research. The aims of ICLAS are aligned with the highest possible standards of animal research internationally.
The aims of ICLAS are:
- to promote and coordinate the development of Laboratory Animal Science throughout the world and as a matter of priority in developing countries;
- to promote international collaboration in Laboratory Animal Science;
- to promote quality definition and monitoring of Laboratory Animals;
- to collect and disseminate information on Laboratory Animal Science;
- to promote worldwide harmonisation in the care and use of laboratory animals;
- to promote the humane use of animals in research through recognition of ethical principles and scientific responsibilities;
- to promote the ‘3R’ tenets of Russel and Burch.
On the initiative of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organizations (UNESCO), The Council for International Organizations of Medical Sciences (CIOMS) and the International Union of Biological Sciences (IUBS), the International Committee on Laboratory Animals (ICLA) was conceived in 1956 as a non-governmental organisation to promote high standards of laboratory animal quality, care and health. Its activities have included collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) since 1961. The VII ICLA General Assembly took place in Utrecht, The Netherlands, on August 20 and 24, 1979. At this Assembly it was decided to change the name of the organisation to the International Council for Laboratory Animal Science (ICLAS). Read more in the History of ICLAS.
The ICLAS Working Group on Harmonization of Guidelines arranged meetings for Harmonization of Guidelines on euthanasiaEuthanasia Killing by applying methods that rapidly lead to unconsciousness and death without pain or discomfort to the animal. Methods for euthanasia can be divided into mechanical and physical. and Endpoints in 2006. Later, they initiated the evaluation of new and existing guidelines related to genetically-engineered animals. During the fifth meeting, participants were informed about the progress made in the revision of the CIOMS 1985 International Guiding Principles for Biomedical Research involving Animals, leading to the final report in 2012.
Principle nr. 8 highlights the following about humane endpointsHumane endpoint The moment in the experiment at which pain and/or distress experienced by the investigational animal is ended or alleviated by either killing the animal humanely or by discontinuing the procedure.:
”Endpoints and timely interventions should be established for both humane and experimental reasons. Humane endpoints and/or interventions should be established before animal use begins, should be assessed throughout the course of the study, and should be applied as early as possible to prevent, ameliorate, or minimize unnecessary and/or unintended painPain The negative sensory or emotional experience that indicates awareness in the animal of injury or the threat of injury to the body. This negative experience induces changes in an animal’s behavior and physiology, intended to limit the effect of, or avoid the injury, to reduce the chances of repeated injury and to promote recovery. and/or distressDistress It indicates a disadvantageous environment in which the animal is no longer able to adapt in a biologically successful manner to the stressors to which it is exposed. One speaks of distress when the level or the duration of stress are such that significant changes in biological function are required to survive.. Animals that would otherwise suffer severe or chronic pain, distress, or discomfortDiscomfort A state of pain and distress in laboratory animals. that cannot be relieved and is not part of the experimental design, should be removed from the study and/or euthanized using a procedure appropriate for the species and condition of the animal”.
More information
More information can be found on the website of ICLAS.
