Classifying the severity of scientific animal use: a review of international systems

Abstract

Severity classification systems (ie pain scales, categories of invasiveness, degrees of severity etc) are used to classify the adverse effects experienced by animals used for scientific purposes. Currently, eleven countries use severity classification systems. These systems have developed in various ways, depending on each country's process for overseeing the use of animals in science, as well as the particular aspects emphasised by those individuals who have championed their implementation. Severity classification serves four main purposes: as a tool to assist animal ethics committees in ethical review; education of animal users about concepts for humane animal experimentation; provision of data to inform the public about scientific animal use; and provision of data to inform national policies. At a time when the newly accepted European Union Directive will make the reporting of severity data mandatory, we review the characteristics of international severity classification systems and how they have evolved; analyse the effectiveness of some systems; and identify emerging challenges for severity classification.

Potential Biosafety of Mxenes: Stability, Biodegradability, Toxicity and Biocompatibility

“…This is related to bioethical issues, which advocates minimizing any possible suffering or pain to animals used in science. [95] In this regard, the concentration of the investigated substance or material is selected basing on epy literature data or on own preliminary data. For example, Cui with colleagues [35] first tested different concentrations of DL-Ti 3 C 2 nanosheets on the culture of human periodontal ligament cells.…”

“…It should be noted that the starting point in biomedical research using animals is to select such a dose of the investigated substance that will not potentially cause obvious toxicity. This is related to bioethical issues, which advocates minimizing any possible suffering or pain to animals used in science [95] . In this regard, the concentration of the investigated substance or material is selected basing on epy literature data or on own preliminary data.…”