MacArthur Clark Judy, Clifford Paula, Jarrett Wendy, Pekow Cynthia
JMC Welfare International, Sandwich, Kent, UK.
Americans for Medical Progress, Washington, DC.
ILAR J. 2019 Dec 31;60(1):34-42. doi: 10.1093/ilar/ilz007.
Animals play a key role in biomedical research and other areas of scientific inquiry. But public opinion plays a key role in influencing how this area of science is regulated and funded. Nevertheless, scientists have historically been reticent to speak openly about their animal research or to open their animal facilities to the public in any way. Consequently, most of the available information has come from those opposed to animal research. This imbalance has led to suspicion and lagging public support for this work. To reverse this effect, efforts are now being made in many parts of the world to increase openness and transparency in this sector. The authors firmly believe that encouraging more institutions to join this movement, focused on better and greater communication, is essential to preserve the research community's "permission" to perform justifiable studies involving animals. For the purposes of this article, we consider "the public" to include that cross-section of society who may be asked their views in opinion poll studies and who may vote in elections. It also includes other influential groups such as the media, scientists working in other disciplines, animal welfare groups, and politicians who may shape regulatory frameworks. Public opinion on this issue matters. The majority of funding for biomedical research comes, either directly or indirectly, from the public purse. In the case of pharmaceutical research, funding derives from selling medicines to consumers. We therefore all have a vested interest in this funding. Furthermore, legislation that covers the use of animals in research is permissive-it allows scientists to do things that might otherwise contravene animal welfare laws. But this permission is normally contingent on complying with strict protective measures designed to ensure the work stays within the ethical framework that public opinion has deemed appropriate. Open and transparent communication is the best way to promote public understanding. There is thus a responsibility on all those involved in animal research, whether scientists, animal care staff, physicians, veterinarians, members of ethics committees, or managers and leaders, to support and promote public awareness and trust in this work. Circumstantial evidence shows that, with such open dialogue, there is decreased targeting and harassment of individuals and job pride and satisfaction for all involved is improved.
动物在生物医学研究和其他科学探究领域中发挥着关键作用。但公众舆论在影响该科学领域的监管和资金投入方式方面起着关键作用。然而，从历史上看，科学家们一直不愿公开谈论他们的动物研究，或以任何方式向公众开放他们的动物设施。因此，大多数现有信息都来自那些反对动物研究的人。这种不平衡导致了对这项工作的怀疑以及公众支持的滞后。为了扭转这种局面，世界上许多地方正在努力提高该领域的开放性和透明度。作者坚信，鼓励更多机构加入这一注重更好、更广泛沟通的运动，对于维护研究界进行涉及动物的合理研究的“许可”至关重要。就本文而言，我们认为“公众”包括在民意调查研究中可能被征求意见以及可能在选举中投票的社会各界人士。它还包括其他有影响力的群体，如媒体、从事其他学科研究的科学家、动物福利组织以及可能塑造监管框架的政治家。公众对这个问题的看法很重要。生物医学研究的大部分资金直接或间接来自公共资金。就制药研究而言，资金来自向消费者销售药品。因此，我们所有人在这笔资金中都有既得利益。此外，涵盖研究中动物使用的立法是许可性的——它允许科学家做一些否则可能违反动物福利法的事情。但这种许可通常取决于遵守旨在确保工作保持在公众舆论认为合适的道德框架内的严格保护措施。开放和透明的沟通是促进公众理解的最佳方式。因此，所有参与动物研究的人，无论是科学家、动物护理人员、医生、兽医、伦理委员会成员，还是管理人员和领导者，都有责任支持并促进公众对这项工作的认识和信任。有间接证据表明，通过这种开放对话，针对个人的攻击和骚扰会减少，所有相关人员的工作自豪感和满意度都会提高。
