"Animals Are Living Beings with Emotions Too" Are Animal Experiments Really Necessary? [Kim Suwan's Animal Report]

3.71 Million Animals Sacrificed as Laboratory Animals Last Year
Animal Experiment Facility Disposal of Animal Carcasses Reaches 2,654 Tons in 5 Years
Experts Say "Alternative Methods Needed to Stop Animal Testing"

The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. Photo by Yonhap News.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Su-wan] Animal testing is still being conducted to create various tools for humans, such as cosmetics, new drugs, and vaccine development, raising social concerns. Although basic principles such as replacement, reduction, and pain relief must be observed when conducting animal testing, poor management and failure to comply with these principles have been revealed, leading to ongoing criticism regarding research ethics. Experts suggest that animal testing is not only unscientific but also inhumane, and alternative methods should be sought.

◆ Controversy over 'Beagle Abuse Experiment'... Ethical Issues of Animal Testing Under Scrutiny

Last year, a case suspected of excessive animal testing amounting to abuse occurred at Seoul National University College of Veterinary Medicine, sparking fierce criticism of unethical animal testing.

Earlier, the animal protection group Beagle Rescue Network claimed that Professor Lee Byung-chun’s research team at Seoul National University College of Veterinary Medicine violated the Animal Protection Act by experimenting on and abusing retired quarantine detection dogs, releasing related photos and videos.

According to the group, three detection dogs?May, Cheonwang-i, and Peb?who worked as quarantine detection dogs at the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency’s Incheon Airport Center for five years from 2013, were confirmed to have been returned to Seoul National University College of Veterinary Medicine last March after retirement and used for experiments.

May, temporarily entrusted to the Quarantine Agency during the 'Animal Experiment Ethics Audit Period' at Seoul National University College of Veterinary Medicine, was in an emaciated state close to starvation. At that time, May’s reproductive organs were abnormally protruded, and she was unable to walk properly. She even bled from her nose while eating the provided feed frantically. Ultimately, May died in February last year.

When May’s tragic condition was revealed to the media, public outrage over animal testing erupted. The group filed a complaint against Professor Lee for violating the Animal Protection Act, and the related trial is still ongoing.

The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. Photo by Yonhap News.

◆ 3.71 Million Animals Used in Testing Last Year... 3R Principles Not Followed

Despite this situation, the number of experimental animals used in animal testing increases every year. According to a recent 'Survey on the Welfare of Laboratory Animals' conducted by the Quarantine Agency, approximately 3,712,380 animals were used as experimental animals last year. The number of experimental animals increased annually by 4 to 22.6%, from 1,328,000 in 2010 to 1,834,000 in 2012, 2,878,000 in 2014, and 3,727,000 in 2018.

The cases of animals dying as a result of experiments are also increasing. According to data received by Lee Tan-hee, a member of the National Assembly Education Committee from the Democratic Party of Korea, from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, the total amount of animal carcasses processed by animal testing facilities over the past five years was 2,654 tons.

Among these, ethical issues related to animal testing conducted in university hospital research institutes nationwide continue to arise every year. Although the basic 3R principles must be observed when conducting animal testing, most are not being followed.

The 3R principles include Replacement (substituting animal testing with non-animal methods as much as possible), Reduction (reducing the number of animals used), and Refinement (maximizing efforts to alleviate pain when animal testing is unavoidable).

However, because the management and standards for supplying laboratory animals within universities are unclear, unethical experiments on laboratory animals are repeatedly occurring.

Under current law, experimental animals must not be sourced from abandoned or lost animals, but it is difficult to punish illegal purchases of animals for experiments. There is no way to verify whether animals used in experiments are abandoned animals, making detection difficult. Moreover, legal grounds for punishment after detection are insufficient.

On the afternoon of April 24th, participants at the anti-animal testing press conference held at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul urged the cessation of animal testing. Photo by Yonhap News

◆ Animal Rights Groups: "Stop Unethical and Unscientific Animal Testing Now"

As a result, calls have been made to completely stop animal testing and find alternatives, citing that animal testing is clearly unethical and unscientific.

The Korea Animal Protection Alliance and 'Citizens Advocating Veganism' held a press conference at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul on April 24, 'World Laboratory Animal Day,' stating, "More than one-third of domestic animal experiments do not use anesthesia at all, causing the most severe pain and suffering, classified as 'E-grade' experiments. Every year, 1.3 million animals die amid painful abuse and exploitation." They urged, "Countries such as the United States and the European Union are actively researching and developing animal alternative testing methods. Unethical and unscientific animal testing must be stopped."

Criticism of animal testing is also consistently raised in other countries. The UK's National Anti-vivisection Society designated 'World Laboratory Animal Day' in 1979 and continues to call for the cessation of animal testing.

The United States is actively researching and developing animal alternative testing methods. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced plans to reduce mammal testing by 30% by 2025 and to completely stop it by 2035.

Experts point out that research institutions in Korea have fallen into an animal testing absolutism, contrary to global trends.

Lee Won-bok, head of the Korea Animal Protection Alliance, said, "Animal testing, which inflicts unilateral pain regardless of the animal’s will, is clearly unethical behavior," adding, "Moreover, many cases show that even after animal testing, the effects do not appear in humans or adverse effects occur, making it unscientific."

He continued, "Korea is obsessed with animal testing. Scientists who insist on animal testing, companies exempt from responsibility even when conducting experiments, and an ignorant government enable animal testing. Other countries are already moving toward not using animal testing in research or product development. We should follow this trend as well," he suggested.