[MUSIC] The topic of animals used in research is one of the more controversial issues we'll address. There are many aspects to consider. Here we'll examine the various ways animals are used in research, along with what kinds of animals are used and where they come from. In what's known as fundamental research, animals are used to study basic biological, physiological, or behavioral processes of humans or animals. Examples would be studies of brain functions or DNA replication. The goal here is to test hypothesis about theoretical questions, rather than to develop a drug or a treatment. This is where the greatest numbers of animals are used. In biomedical research the goal is to test new therapies and treatments. This is closely related to the previous category of research, but here we're talking about prevention and treatment, rather than basic understanding of a biological, physiological, or behavioral process. The therapies and treatments that might emerge from this research might be used on humans or animals. This is the second largest area of animal experimentation. Genetic engineering is the fastest growing category of animal research. It involves manipulating genes to produce animals who have a desired trait or an unwanted trait. They're then used as models in research. The animals are also referred to as genetically modified, genetically altered, genetically manipulated, or transgenic. Some of these animals are modified to develop certain diseases, such as cancer, so that they can then be used in experimental treatments or studies of the course of the disease. Other animals are genetically modified to test ways of preventing disease. For instance, researchers have engineered male mosquitoes that carry a self-limiting gene. Their offspring don't reach adulthood, so they don't contribute to the spread of mosquito-borne diseases, such as Zika virus and malaria. Scientists have also genetically engineered animals used for food, so that they can get bigger faster. Product testing of consumer goods, including cosmetics and toiletries, pesticides, cleaning products, and food additives is another category where animals are used. Testing the safety and toxicity of many products is required by some countries, such as China. In the United States, industrial chemicals such as pesticides, herbicide, and fertilizers must be tested on animals. But several states have banned the sale of animal-tested cosmetics and toiletries. Other places that also ban animal-tested cosmetics include the European Union and India. Finally, animals are used in education and training. Animals are dissected in schools and universities as part of science projects or biology coursework. Increasingly, students can opt out of dissection, and a growing number of schools use 3D models and virtual dissection. Animals are used for surgical training of veterinary students. They're used to demonstrate and practice procedures, such as tracheal intubation and taking blood samples. Here too there are efforts to develop non-animal alternatives to hands on training. How many animals are we talking about? We don't know for sure, I'll get to why we don't know in a moment. But in the United States, data from 2018 show that just over 780,000 animals were used. Now this doesn't include the majority of animals used in research, which are what are known as purpose-bred mice, rats, birds, and fish. These purpose-bred animals, or animals raised for research, are not considered animals under the Animal Welfare Act, so they're not included as an account. As an aside, I'll point out that there are regulations that apply to these animals, who are not covered by the Animal Welfare Act. But the fact that they're not regulated by that act means that they don't appear in counts. According to estimates, if we were to include them, the total number of vertebrates used in research in the United States would be between 11 and 23 million. Where do these animals come from? The people who breed, sell, or transport animals for use in research, in exhibitions, such as petting farms and zoos, or as pets, are commercial animal dealers. In the United States, they have to obtain a license from the Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. The USDA licenses two types of animal dealers, the first is Class A. Holders of these licenses breed animals, including dogs and cats, on their own premises and sell them to various sources, including research facilities. The second is Class B, these licenses allow dealers to purchase animals from random sources and sell them to research facilities. Random sources can include individual owners, small hobby breeders, and in some states pounds and shelters. In contrast, Class A dealers can only sell animals they have bred themselves. The majority of animals used in research today are purpose bred in huge corporate breeding laboratories. The production of standardized rodents in particular has become a huge industry. Researchers who need to use rats, mice, guinea pigs, or rabbits can consult extensive online catalogs and choose from thousands of strains suited to particular purposes. Beagles, the dogs most commonly used in research, are also available through these vendors, which are known as Class A dealers. Historically, some animals have come from Class B dealers. In the United States today, researchers receiving support from the National Institutes of Health can't use animals obtained from Class B dealers. Their animals have to come from Class A dealers. To recap what we've discussed here, you now understand the various ways animals are used in research. What kinds of animals are used and where they come from. This knowledge forms the foundation for examining other issues related to the use of animals in laboratories.
