Which statement best describes the ethical basis for using animals in research?

• A. Animal use should be justified by scientific value, with steps taken to minimize pain, distress, and numbers used, and to provide humane care.
• B. Animal use is justified solely by cost considerations.
• C. Ethical review is unnecessary if the research produces results quickly.
• D. Researchers should maximize the number of animals used to ensure statistical power.

Answer: (A)

Ethical use of animals in research rests on weighing the potential scientific value against animal welfare. When animals are involved, the research must be justified by the anticipated knowledge or health benefits, and every effort should be made to minimize harm. This includes reducing pain and distress, using the smallest number of animals necessary to obtain reliable results, and providing proper housing, handling, and veterinary care. Practices to achieve this include employing anesthesia or analgesia when procedures are painful, implementing careful monitoring, and defining humane endpoints to avoid unnecessary suffering. Oversight by an institutional review body ensures these standards are followed and that alternatives are considered whenever possible.

Costs alone do not justify animal use, speed does not eliminate the need for ethical review, and increasing animal numbers contradicts the goal of reducing harm.