Welfare Phenotyping of Genetically-Modified Mice

2009 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 181-186
Author(s):  
Margaret Rose

Technologies that enable the targeted manipulation of the genome have created new opportunities to study the role and interplay of specific genes in both the regulation and function of physiological and behavioural processes and in the development of pathological conditions. Despite the potential benefits, there are ethical issues in relation to the application of these technologies, some of which relate to the impact on the welfare of the animals involved. Matters of concern include the methods involved in the derivation and production of genetically-modified (GM) animals and resulting phenotypes, where animal welfare is compromised. In the case of the latter, this may be the predicted consequence of the genetic modification, but the occurrence of unforeseen animal welfare complications is a major challenge in the management of GM animals. There has been a rapid escalation in the development of new GM lines, most of them involving mice. Databases of available lines have been developed by national and international consortia, and researchers have developed standard protocols to describe the phenotype of a new line; increasingly, such data are entered into these databases. The inclusion of animal welfare assessments with these data would provide a powerful and sophisticated tool to promote refinement. The scope, level and frequency of monitoring would facilitate the identification of unpredicted effects and the management of humane endpoints, and would identify opportunities to manage the animals so as to ameliorate negative impacts. Furthermore, by highlighting the subtleties of gene–environment interactions, such data have wider implications in achieving the goals of refinement.

2001 ◽  
Vol 2001 ◽  
pp. 266-266
Author(s):  
G. Gatward

Many of the ethical issues regarding the livestock production systems of the late twentieth century have concentrated on the process of intensification. The extent of public disquiet at the welfare and ethical implications of intensification has been reflected in the burgeoning membership of animal welfare and animal rights organisations. The reasons for this increase as well as the impact that it has had on the livestock industry can be traced back to the 1960s, to factors such as the growing urbanisation of the population and especially the emergence of the animal rights movement which focused attention on a wide range of issues including the human exploitation of other animal species. This in turn led to a demarcation between those who supported the animal welfare cause and those who argued for animal rights.


2002 ◽  
Vol 2002 ◽  
pp. 245-245
Author(s):  
G. Gatward

Many of the ethical issues regarding the livestock production systems of the late twentieth century have concentrated on the process of intensification. The extent of public disquiet at the welfare and ethical implications of intensification has been reflected in the burgeoning membership of animal welfare and animal rights organisations. The reasons for this increase as well as the impact that it has had on the livestock industry can be traced back to the 1960s, to factors such as the growing urbanisation of the population and especially the emergence of the animal rights movement which focused attention on a wide range of issues including the human exploitation of other animal species. This in turn led to a demarcation between those who supported the animal welfare cause and those who argued for animal rights.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aude LE BRIS ◽  
Nadia MAZILLE ◽  
Pauline SIMONOT ◽  
Maude LUHERNE ◽  
Cyril FLAMANT ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: The emerging use of video in neonatology units raises ethical and practical questions. This study aims to gain a better understanding of the suitability, limitations and constraints concerning the use of live video as a tool in neonatal clinical practice. The perceptions of parents and healthcare professionals in regard to live video were examined. Methods : Nine focus groups were conducted in four neonatal units involving 20 healthcare professionals and 19 parents. Data were triangulated using transcripts and field notes and analyzed using inductive and semantic thematic analysis. Results: The seven major themes that emerged from the healthcare professionals focus groups were (i) the impact of video recording on healthcare professionals’ behavior; (ii) the impact on parents; (iii) forensic issues ;(iv) guarantee of use; (v) benefits for the newborn; (vi) methodology of use; and (vii) technical considerations & feasibility. The five major themes that emerged from parents focus groups were (i) benefits for the newborn and care enhancement; (ii) impact on parents and potential benefits in case of newborn child/parent separation; (iii) informed consent and guarantee of use;(iv) concern about a possible disruptive impact on healthcare professionals; and (v) data protection. Conclusion: Both parents and healthcare professionals found video recording useful and acceptable if measures were taken to protect the data and mitigate any negative impacts on healthcare professionals.


Author(s):  
Adaya Weissler Snir ◽  
Kim A. Connelly ◽  
Jack M. Goodman ◽  
David Dorian ◽  
Paul Dorian

The detailed physiological consequences of aerobic training, in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) are not well understood. In athletes and non-athletes with HCM, there are two hypothetical concerns with respect to exercise: exercise-related worsening of the phenotype (e.g. promoting hypertrophy, fibrosis), and/or triggering of arrhythmia. The former concern is unproven and animal studies suggest an opposite effect, where exercise has been shown to be protective. The main reason for exercise restriction in HCM is fear of exercise-induced arrhythmia. Whilst the safety of sports in HCM has been reviewed, even more recent data suggest a substantially lower risk for sudden cardiac death (SCD) in HCM than previously thought, and there is an ongoing debate about restrictions of exercise imposed on individuals with HCM. This review outlines the pathophysiology of HCM, the impact of acute and chronic exercise (and variations of exercise intensity, modality, and athletic phenotype) in HCM including changes in autonomic function, blood pressure, cardiac dimensions and function, and cardiac output, and the underlying mechanisms that may trigger exercise-induced lethal arrhythmias. It provides a critical evaluation of the evidence regarding risk of SCD in athletes and the potential benefits of targeted exercise prescription in adults with HCM. Finally, it provides considerations for personalized recommendations for sports participation based on the available data.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aude LE BRIS ◽  
Nadia MAZILLE ◽  
Pauline SIMONOT ◽  
Maude LUHERNE ◽  
Cyril FLAMANT ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: The emerging use of video in neonatology units raises ethical and practical questions. This study aims to gain a better understanding of the suitability, limitations and constraints concerning the use of live video as a tool in neonatal clinical practice. The perceptions of parents and healthcare professionals in regard to live video were examined. Methods: Nine focus groups were conducted in four neonatal units involving 20 healthcare professionals and 19 parents. Data were triangulated using transcripts and field notes and analyzed using inductive and semantic thematic analysis.Results: The seven major themes that emerged from the healthcare professionals focus groups were (i) the impact of video recording on healthcare professionals’ behavior; (ii) the impact on parents; (iii) forensic issues ;(iv) guarantee of use; (v) benefits for the newborn; (vi) methodology of use; and (vii) technical considerations & feasibility. The five major themes that emerged from parents focus groups were (i) benefits for the newborn and care enhancement; (ii) impact on parents and potential benefits in case of newborn child/parent separation; (iii) informed consent and guarantee of use;(iv) concern about a possible disruptive impact on healthcare professionals; and (v) data protection. Conclusion: Both parents and healthcare professionals found video recording useful and acceptable if measures were taken to protect the data and mitigate any negative impacts on healthcare professionals.


Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 1726 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shari Cohen ◽  
Thierry Beths

The 3Rs, Replacement, Reduction and Refinement, is a framework to ensure the ethical and justified use of animals in research. The implementation of refinements is required to alleviate and minimise the pain and suffering of animals in research. Public acceptability of animal use in research is contingent on satisfying ethical and legal obligations to provide pain relief along with humane endpoints. To fulfil this obligation, staff, researchers, veterinarians, and technicians must rapidly, accurately, efficiently and consistently identify, assess and act on signs of pain. This ability is paramount to uphold animal welfare, prevent undue suffering and mitigate possible negative impacts on research. Identification of pain may be based on indicators such as physiological, behavioural, or physical ones. Each has been used to develop different pain scoring systems with potential benefits and limitations in identifying and assessing pain. Grimace scores are a promising adjunctive behavioural technique in some mammalian species to identify and assess pain in research animals. The use of this method can be beneficial to animal welfare and research outcomes by identifying animals that may require alleviation of pain or humane intervention. This paper highlights the benefits, caveats, and potential applications of grimace scales.


Author(s):  
Suphanit Piyapromdee

Abstract This article studies the impact of immigration on wages, internal migration, and welfare. Using U.S. Census data, I estimate a spatial equilibrium model where labour differs by skill level, gender, and nativity. Workers are heterogeneous in city preferences. Cities vary in productivity levels, housing prices, and amenities. I use the estimated model to assess the distributional consequences of several immigration policies. The results show that a skill selective immigration policy leads to welfare gains for low skill workers, but welfare losses for high skill workers. The negative impacts are more substantial among the incumbent high skill immigrants. Internal migration mitigates the initial negative impacts, particularity in cities where housing supplies are inelastic. However, the negative wage impacts on some workers intensify. This is because an out-migration of workers of a given type may raise the local wages for workers of that type, while reducing the local wages of workers with complementary characteristics. Overall, there are substantial variations in the welfare effects of immigration across and within cities. Further, I use the model to assess the welfare effects of the border wall between Mexico and the U.S. The results show that the potential benefits are significantly smaller than the proposed cost of construction.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 714-714
Author(s):  
George Demiris

Abstract A variety of technologies have been proposed, tested, and used to reduce social isolation and loneliness [SIL]. Furthermore, information technology may offer a way to detect or predict patterns of SIL. In this paper, the range of technology tools for assessment (e.g., passive monitoring, tracking data patterns, electronic health records) and intervention (e.g., social robots, social media, virtual reality) are reviewed for evidence of impact, and consideration is given for related ethical issues. The role of technology in relation to the report’s recommendations is discussed, including assessment and testing of new technological interventions for their potential benefits and harms, consideration of contextual issues such as broadband access, and the role of technology in education and training. Finally, gap areas of research are explored, such as the impact of the use of technology among current younger adults as they age. Part of a symposium sponsored by Loneliness and Social Isolation Interest Group.


Author(s):  
YinTong Yu

With the widespread application of genetically modified technology, the proportion of genetically modified crops in the food sector has gradually increased. Of all of China's imported crops, genetically modified soybeans account for more than 75%. However, the safety issue associated with daily consumption, the contamination issue related to planting, as well as the attendant scientific and ethical issues have posed new challenges to the regulatory system of food safety of China. By examining the judicial and administrative management cases concerned, this author finds that the power to exercise effective safety control in regard to Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) rests with the low tier of government under the current system. In addition, the managerial measures are not well defined and targeted. The rules and regulations of China apparently fall short of the standards required of by international treaties. As a result, it is imperative for the higher tier of government to be empowered to handle the management of GMO and fine-tune the management and make some useful improvements. It is also necessary for Chinese authorities to devise a targeted system and make Chinese rules and regulations move closer to international treaties.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aude LE BRIS ◽  
Nadia MAZILLE-ORFANOS ◽  
Pauline SIMONOT ◽  
Maude LUHERNE ◽  
Cyril FLAMANT ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: The emerging use of video in neonatology units raises ethical and practical questions. This study aims to gain a better understanding of the suitability, limitations and constraints concerning the use of live video as a tool in neonatal clinical practice. The perceptions of parents and healthcare professionals in regard to live video were examined. Methods : Nine focus groups were conducted in four neonatal units involving 20 healthcare professionals and 19 parents. Data were triangulated using transcripts and field notes and analyzed using inductive and semantic thematic analysis. Results: The seven major themes that emerged from the healthcare professionals focus groups were (i) the impact of video recording on healthcare professionals’ behavior; (ii) the impact on parents; (iii) forensic issues ;(iv) guarantee of use; (v) benefits for the newborn; (vi) methodology of use; and (vii) technical considerations & feasibility. The five major themes that emerged from parents focus groups were (i) benefits for the newborn and care enhancement; (ii) impact on parents and potential benefits in case of newborn child/parent separation; (iii) informed consent and guarantee of use;(iv) concern about a possible disruptive impact on healthcare professionals; and (v) data protection. Conclusion: Both parents and healthcare professionals found video recording useful and acceptable if measures were taken to protect the data and mitigate any negative impacts on healthcare professionals.


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