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 countries of Far East Asia including Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. The importance of laboratory animal science is becoming more recognized in Asian countries. There have been several national laboratory animal science associations established, and in 2003, The Asian Federation of Laboratory Animal Science Associations (AFLAS) was established. Biomedical scientists have contributed to establish the national legislation system in their own countries by the reflection of the public concern of animal welfare. Scientists are acting in laboratory animal science and the amendment of laws, regulations, and guidelines of laboratory animals follows the scientists' advice. The most recent improvement of the legislation system in laboratory animals depends on the advancement of biomedical science, the internationalization of Asian countries, and the public interest in animal welfare in Asia. The exchange of information, including the legislation system in laboratory animals, increased among the member countries of AFLAS. The initial stage of the establishment of the legislation system in laboratory animals was influenced by western countries but the current improvement of the legislation system may be influenced by neighboring Asian countries as well as western countries. In the recent revision of laws, regulation, and guidelines in Asia, the 3Rs are emphasized. The basic regulations applying in Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan, and their impact on animal care and use areas, are reviewed in this chapter. They include the Law of Humane Treatment and Management of Animals (Law No. 105, 1973, and later revisions) and the Guide by the Science Council of Japan, the Animal Protection Act (APA) and the Laboratory Animal Act in South Korea, and the APA in Taiwan. © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.