Animal Experiments Are More Stressful Than Previously Recognized

Forwarded message from fidyl@yahoo.com

[ Subject: Animal Experiments Are More Stressful Than Previously Recognized
[ From: fidyl@yahoo.com
[ Date: Fri, 17 Dec 2004

Animal Experiments Are More Stressful Than Previously Recognized
New Study Shows Animals Experience Severe Stress Response at
Slightest Contact with Researchers

Contact - Jeanne Stuart McVey, 202-686-2210, ext. 316; jeannem@p...
December 16, 2004

WASHINGTON - Mice, rabbits, rats, beagles, geese, and other animals
all show measurable physiological stress responses to routine
laboratory procedures that have been up until now viewed as
relatively benign. The findings come in a new report published in
Contemporary Topics in Laboratory Animal Science, based on an
extensive review of the scientific literature by ethologist Jonathan
Balcombe, Ph.D., of Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine
(PCRM). For example, a mouse who is picked up and briefly held
experiences several physiological reactions. As stress-response
hormones flood the bloodstream, the mouse exhibits a racing pulse and
a spike in blood pressure. These symptoms can persist for up to an
hour after each event. Immune response is also affected. In rats and
mice, the growth of tumors is strongly influenced by how much the
animals are handled.

Dr. Balcombe's paper appears in the journal's current issue, Autumn
2004, available mid-December.

Until now, humane concerns focused mainly on the experiments
themselves. The new findings suggest that routine procedures, such as
blood draws and use of stomach tubes, are terrifying for animals. "In
essence, there is no such thing as a humane animal experiment," says
Dr. Balcombe. "Fear or panic ensues when the animal is touched or
stuck with a needle."

The paper, a review of 80 previously published studies, is titled,
"Laboratory Routines Cause Animal Stress," and focuses on three
routine procedures: handling, blood collection, and force-feeding.
Independent of the invasive experiments themselves, these daily
routines can cause an animal to experience elevated bloodstream
concentrations of corticosterone, prolactin, glucose, and
epinephrine, all indicators of stress. Impaired immune response has
also been recorded in animals after anxiety-producing contact with
lab personnel.

"Research on tumor development, immune function, endocrine and
cardiovascular disorders, neoplasms, developmental defects, and
psychological phenomena are particularly vulnerable to data being
contaminated by animals' stress effects," notes Dr. Balcombe.

Dr. Balcombe's study follows closely a recent paper in the British
Medical Journal, titled "Where Is the Evidence that Animal Research
Benefits Humans?" The authors found that in many cases trials on
humans were conducted concurrently with the animal studies and in
other instances, clinical trials went ahead despite evidence of harm
from the animal studies.

Founded in 1985, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine is
a nonprofit health organization that promotes preventive medicine,
especially good nutrition. PCRM also conducts clinical research
studies, opposes unethical human experimentation, and promotes
alternatives to animal research.

End of forwarded message from fidyl@yahoo.com

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