Laws, Regulations, Guidelines, and Principles Pertaining to Laboratory Animals in Far East Asia

Abstract

This chapter describes current laws, regulations, guidelines, and principles pertaining to laboratory animals used for research, teaching, and testing in some Far East Asian countries such as Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. The importance of laboratory animal science is becoming more recognized in Asian countries. There are several national laboratory animal science associations established. The oldest national association in Asia is the Japanese Association of Laboratory Animal Science founded in 1951. Biomedical scientists have contributed to the establishment of the national legislation system in their own countries by the reflection of public concern over animal welfare. The most remarkable legislation system in Asia may be the amendment of the Act on Welfare and Management of Animals (Law No. 105, 1973) in Japan. In other Asian countries, as in Japan, scientists are acting under laboratory animal science and subsequently the amendment of laws, regulations, and guidelines for laboratory animals follows with the scientists' advice. The most recent improvement in the legislation system in laboratory animals depended on the advancement of biomedical science, the internationalization of Asian countries, and public interest in animal welfare in Asia. In 2003, the Asian Federation of Laboratory Animal Science Associations (AFLAS) was established. Membership of AFLAS now includes laboratory animal science associations from 11 countries or regions. The exchange of information including legal frameworks for the protection of laboratory animals increased among the member countries of AFLAS. The initial stage of the establishment of legal systems for laboratory animals was influenced by Western countries, but current improvements to the systems may also be influenced by neighboring Asian countries. In the recently revised laws, regulations, and guidelines in Asia, the Three Rs are emphasized, e.g., the Act on Welfare and Management of Animals revised in 2005 and the South Korean Animal Protection Law revised in 2007.