Animal Testing in Canada

By: Ian Murnaghan BSc (hons), MSc - Updated: 27 Jul 2020 | *Discuss

 

Animal testing varies around the world although in westernised countries there do tend to be many shared features. In Canada, animal testing is regulated but not quite as stringently as animal testing in the United Kingdom (UK). The basic approach, however, is similar to the one in Britain.

Health Canada

Health Canada governs the protective aspect of the Canadian public through numerous means. One of these aspects includes protection from the potential hazards of a medication or product. Therefore, Canada supports the use of animal testing to further medicine and healthcare. Health Canada states that it is vital to have an understanding of how the body functions under different conditions, which includes its repair and protective mechanisms in relation to their operation in the body. Health Canada further states that prior to conducting any studies on a person, researchers are required to use animal models that are similar to humans. It is this particular approach that governs Health Canada's support for animal testing. It also means that non-animal models can't be entirely removed from research, which further strengthens Health Canada's belief in the benefits of animal testing. This isn't to say that Canada does not support the use of non-animal models. Rather, it simply explains Canada's stance that given the current demands of scientific research, both must be utilized. Whenever possible, non-animal models will be used but only if the experimental aims can still be successfully satisfied.

Ultimately, Health Canada is focused on protecting Canadians from any hazards in a product - whether it's a household product or a medication. This means that producers of food items, medical equipment, pharmaceutical products or home items are legally required to meet the safety obligations set out by Health Canada. To meet these requirements, animal testing is often needed. However, if a specific ingredient or formulation has received previous testing and safety confirmation, it doesn't generally require additional testing on animals.

Minimising Animal Harm and Suffering

The Canadian approach to animal testing includes minimising animal suffering whenever possible and using alternatives where applicable. While recognising that improvements in many medications and treatments for disease, vaccines and other health aids are largely due to animal testing, Canada still supports refinement, replacement and reduction techniques in animal testing. In Canada, the Canadian Council of Animal Care (CCAC) ensures that animals are used under ethical and proper conditions. They cite that animals used for testing purposes must receive optimal care within the realms of the experimental use. In addition, they must be treated humanely and respectfully during the course of their use. This use occurs in universities within Canada as well as in government and private facilities across the country. Guidelines created by the CCAC that govern the experimental use of animals require that animal use may only occur if it provides a positive and meaningful contribution to human understanding of biology or to the gaining of knowledge such that animals or humans can benefit. It also cites the importance of professionals who can confirm that the experimental use is in the best interest of human or animal welfare.

Animal Care Committees (ACCs)

In Canada, the CCAC is clear that to ensure animal welfare is respected, laboratories and similar facilities in Canada must be monitored by ACCs. These committees serve to monitor the industry's use of animals for testing purposes while focusing on the treatment of animals in relation to their housing, hygiene, food and medical needs. ACCs also monitor the pharmaceutical management of animals used for testing. This management refers to cases such as providing the proper dose and type of anaesthetic or pain relievers as required for the animals. In addition, ACCs keep abreast of clinical trials procedures by reviewing their effectiveness, which aids in keeping animal testing protocols current and ethical. Also important is the fact that ACCs help researchers to choose the best animals for the particular experiment as well as minimise the number used.

Against Animal Testing

There are, however, still many organisations and members of the public who do oppose animal testing in Canada. These are comprised primarily of those who oppose cosmetics testing but conversely, support the use of animals only when absolutely necessary and only for the improvement of medical conditions and related health issues. In response to public demand for an end to animal testing in the cosmetics industry, some cosmetics manufacturers have responded by abolishing animal testing on cosmetics and firmly stating their stance on this type of animal testing. Advertisements and product leaflets are used to clearly show when a company is against animal testing, which has improved sales for some companies in Canada.

Like many other countries, Canada is open to the idea of halting animal testing if a viable alternative is discovered or developed. For now, however, no such alternative exists that is equivalent to an entire organism. This means that animal testing in Canada will continue but that it will do so under rules and regulations that ensure animals used for testing are treated ethically and humanely.

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