Gyeonggawon Holds 'Memorial Ceremony' Honoring Laboratory Animals' Spirits

The Bioindustry Headquarters of the Gyeonggi-do Economic Science Promotion Agency held a memorial service for laboratory animals on the 8th at the Animal Memorial Monument in Gwanggyo Gyeonggi Bio Center, Suwon City, to honor the spirits of animals sacrificed during experiments and research.

Since 2007, the agency has held this memorial service annually to comfort animals used in experiments and research and to promote researchers' awareness of animal love and respect for life ethics.

Gyeonggi-do Economic Science Promotion Agency held a memorial service honoring the souls of laboratory animals on the 8th. Photo by Gyeonggi-do Economic Science Promotion Agency

Marking its 13th year, this year's laboratory animal memorial service was attended by about 30 people, including executives and employees of the Bioindustry Headquarters and animal experiment researchers from resident companies, who participated in memorial events such as reading memorial letters for laboratory animals, silent prayers, and flower offerings.

Since 2007, with support from Gyeonggi Province, the Bioindustry Headquarters has been conducting research through animal experiments on 11 major diseases and 6 physiological efficacy evaluations, including dyslipidemia and anticancer studies, as well as acute inflammation models, pharmacokinetic analysis, and drug kinetics research.

Additionally, the animal experiment laboratory is registered with the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety and operates under strict review by the Animal Experiment Ethics Committee in accordance with the Animal Protection Act and the Act on Laboratory Animals, striving to improve the welfare of laboratory animals.

Kang Seong-cheon, president of the Gyeonggi-do Economic Science Promotion Agency, stated, "Our animal experiments are conducted in a way that minimizes the sacrifice and suffering of animals through the review of the Animal Experiment Ethics Committee. We will do our best to never forget the essential value of animal experiments for scientific and technological advancement and safety verification and to uphold their dignity."