Current status and future prospects of the care and use of animals for scientific purposes in Thailand

This research aims to study the current status and future prospects of the care and use of animals for scientific purposes in Thailand, in both the public and private sectors, and to determine from international comparison which recommendations should be implemented in the future; to analyze the data concerning the work involved and the quality of life of the animals (research, testing and production of biological materials and teaching); to evaluate the care and use of animals for scientific purposes abroad; to show the value of the care and use of the animals in economic, social and academic environments; to assess the benefits and value of the work from the care and use of the animals for scientific purposes and animals which are used in other work-related purposes in Thailand.

This research uses qualitative, quantitative and participatory research methods together in order to determine the perspective in economic, social and academic dimensions both in Thailand and abroad. This will determine the status of the care and use of animals for scientific purposes in Thailand. The research will lead to an improvement of the care and use of animals for scientific purposes policy and planning in Thailand, and to the development of the care and use of these animals in the research, testing, production of biological materials, and teaching, including the expansion of commercial enterprises.

From the study of both government agencies and private enterprises, in the aspect of the care and use of animals for scientific purposes, it was found that each unit has a different purposes and operations. These include research, testing, production of biological materials, and teaching. This study covered policy agencies,  supervisory and regulatory agencies, operational units /universities, support and promotion agencies, and private companies which conduct business related to animals for scientific purposes. Most agencies use a number of animals for research, followed by 50 agencies (or units); 37 agencies (or units) use them for teaching, especially in the universities and the Testing and Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Public Health; 22 agencies (or units) in government agencies, academic institutions  and private agencies use them for testing; 5 agencies (or units) use them for the production of biological materials; 11 agencies (or units), such as BioLASCO Co., Ltd., a company that imports animals for scientific purposes to service in Thailand, use them in the distribution/service industries.

However, in assessing the benefits and value of the care and use of animals for scientific purposes in Thailand, the number of animals involved cannot be determined due to a lack of information. So without knowing the cost of these animals none of the financial benefits can be calculated, due to the fact that the agencies do not collate any data about this nor do they disclose confidential business information, reasoning that there should be law enforcement agencies to collect and disclose such information. However, the review of the literature and case studies in Thailand, expected to be the cost of the care and use of animals for scientific purposes is at least 455,231 million Thai baht, representing approximately 2.35 percent of GDP (2010).

In addition, the studies indicate that the care and use of animals for scientific purposes, which meet the scientific quality standards, directly impacts economic, social and academic values. This is consistent with the findings in a case study of the breeding and production and the service of animals, National Laboratory Animal Center; Mahidol University, Herbal industry, Vaccine production, Feed industry, Medical equipment industry, so it is necessary to urgently develop the care and use of animals for scientific purposes in terms of breeding and production, to meet the standards which are internationally recognized according to the ethical use of animals, and to strengthen the competitiveness of trade in food supplements, herbal medicines, vaccines, anti-serum, medical equipment in the global market, including support of the preparation to join the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) by the year 2015.

By the importance and necessity of using animals for scientific purposes, as mentioned above, the government should urgently establish a "National Institute of Development of the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes". To accelerate the bill of the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes B.E…., the 3Rs principle can be applied and National Guidelines on the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes should be provided. The government should also allocate sufficient funds for the continued development of the care and use of animals for scientific purposes. The Office of the Secretary of the National Development on the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes or The National Institute of Development on the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes (if established) would be an agency of the National Strategic Plan for the development of the care and use of animals for scientific purposes.