International research team proposes widespread reform in laboratory animal experiments

In a new paper published in Scientific Reports, the research group reviewed recent research publications and found that no studies fully adhered to generally accepted best practices. These practices include adequately blinding investigators, randomly assigning animals to treatment groups, and accounting for variables such as housing conditions that might influence results. Without proper study design and analysis, research findings risk being unreliable. The team proposes that improved experimental designs will result in more valid, precise, and accurate results while also reducing the waste of time, resources, and animals.

Through an in-depth analysis of previous experiments, the researchers identified essential areas for reform. Implementing a new standard of design incorporating the best practices to ensure control of numerous variables will require changes in how applications for research grants, animal use protocols, and publication are reviewed.

The future challenge for researchers will be to undertake efforts to change the way experiments are designed, which will require a fundamental change in research and research education. The authors of this paper believe that not only is change possible, but it would also lead to more robust research data that would benefit the research community and all those who would benefit from the undertaken projects.  

“It is important to continue having conversations about the best way to pursue scientific discovery and innovation, to continually strive to improve our work and better ourselves as researchers. This paper is part of such conversation for universities in Canada and around the world for how we might better approach critical research experiments across many fields of study.”
-Baljit Singh, USask’s Vice-President Research

“The process of designing an animal experiment, comparing responses among different groups of animals, can appear deceptively simple—but it never is, even for those with the necessary education and training. Therein lies a big challenge that our universities are ideally suited to undertake. I believe our universities can provide critically important leadership in this endeavour.”
-Hugh Townsend (DVM), professor emeritus, USask’s Western College of Veterinary Medicine

“Our group of experienced biomedical researchers conducted a large-scale systematic review after recognizing improper experimental design involving lab animals was widespread. Given the scale of animal use in research, this highlights an important area for reform. Animal research is essential to scientific progress, and with that comes a shared responsibility to ensure it is conducted as rigorously as possible. We are committed to working with all key players in the research environment, including granting agencies, animal care committees and academic journals.”
-James Cross (DVM, PhD), professor emeritus, University of Calgary

“Anyone who uses animals in research bears a special responsibility. Only sound animal studies are ethically acceptable. Any methodological shortcomings undermine scientific accuracy, waste resources and animal lives, and hinder the transfer of research results to practical applications in human and veterinary medicine.”
-Klaus Osterrieder (DVM), TiHo President

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Victoria Dinh
USask Media Relations
306-966-5487
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