Ontario Premier Doug Ford just provided a very clear message to scientists performing medical experiments on dogs. So, he implored them to “break before I clock you.” Public outcry is growing over the cruel treatment of animals used in medical research. This comes on the heels of recent shocking disclosures that St. Joseph’s Health Care London had been conducting studies on dogs’ hearts for decades. In a groundbreaking move for animal protection, the Ontario government has responded by introducing new legislation to strengthen those protections. This legislation doesn’t entirely outlaw invasive research.
The proposed legislation is included in a larger public safety–centric omnibus bill. To address these concerns, the bill’s sponsors introduced floor amendments that would ban “invasive medical research” on cats and dogs. Animal advocates say it doesn’t do enough to protect these vulnerable animals. Researchers will remain allowed to pursue harmful studies but again, only if they can prove that no other options are available to them. New animal welfare regulations will mandate the establishment of an animal care committee charged with review of all research proposals involving animals. This advisory committee should be required to include veterinary expertise.
Legislative Changes and Oversight
This legislation will be a big change. It will prohibit breeding animals for sale for medical research. This action is lauded as an important move to help decrease the number of animals used in testing. Professionals such as Angela Fernandez, who heads the animal law program at the University of Toronto, are sounding alarms. They think the legislation, while well-intentioned, does not go far enough to prevent the use of animal research altogether.
“This legislation doesn’t prevent those facilities from continuing to approve these projects,” – Angela Fernandez
Fernandez brings attention to a key concern. While researchers are not allowed to breed cats and dogs for research, the loopholes researchers are allowed to exploit under the current framework are far-reaching. She notes, “It’s not really a ban on animal research,” emphasizing that more comprehensive measures are necessary to protect vulnerable animals.
Public Response and Expert Opinions
The issues raised by these controversial animal testing practices have led industry, academics, and advocates alike to share their perspectives on these proposed rule changes. Drew Woodley is director, government relations with the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society. He applauds the fact that the proposed regulations would provide crucial protections for animals on these new public-private partnerships. He thinks that there’s a lot more improvement to be had.
“We don’t want them to use animals that have already had difficult lives,” – Drew Woodley
Woodley further supports prohibitions on the use of animals obtained from pounds for medical research and other similar measures. He contends that scientists must first explore all other avenues not requiring animal testing. This sentiment is emblematic of a rising tide worldwide to acknowledge ethics in the practice of scientific research.
Institutional Reactions
In the wake of Premier Ford’s threat, many of these universities started reconsidering their participation in animal experimentation. Immediately after receiving the premier’s tweet to announce closing her lab, for example, a professor at Carleton University. Advocates will recognize this move as a sign of change within academic circles as they adapt to the growing complexities of animal ethics in research.
This proposed legislation has ignited a firestorm of public debate between researchers, animal rights advocates and the public. Many hope that it will lead to more humane practices in medical research while others remain skeptical about its effectiveness in curtailing invasive procedures.
