SODOBNA PRAVNA UREDITEV IN ETIČNA NAČELA POSKUSOV NA ŽIVALIH

Abstract

BackgroundThe experiments on animals remain to play an important and yet unreplaceble role in the progress of biomedicine. Therefore, under certain legal conditions, it is morally acceptable to use animals for scientific purposes. Directive 86/609/EEC adopted in 1986 has started to regulate the legislation on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes in Europe and in Slovenia. In 2010, after a public consultation involving scientific community and animal protectionist associations, the European parliament released revised Directive 2010/63/EU on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes. The aim of the paper is to present contemporary legislation from the field of experimental animals and basic ethical principles that are foundation of responsible use of animals in research as well as valid science. ConclusionThe society`s relationship to the animals varies throughtout history, also thanks to animal experimentation which definitively confirmed that animals are sentient beings that like humans experience pain, suffering, distres or enjoyment. In western developed society the number of people defending animal rights and contradicting the use of animals in experiments is increasing. Therefore, increasing effort and financial stimulation for the development and implementation of the methods to replace animal experimentation takes place in the EU. But as long as this does not occur the revised legislation requires careful and responsible use of animals in accordance with the legislative and contemporary ethical principles.