The Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) through its Veterinary Research Department (VRD) trained fifteen professionals on the Ethical Use of Laboratory Animals (EULA) in Research on October 24-25 at the RITM Training Center.

VRD equips personnel that will handle laboratory animals for them to conduct the procedures of scientific studies involving animals humanely. The humane conduct of protocols using animals such as the three R principles – Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement, legal issues, management, and standardization of laboratory animals were discussed.

Participants included Region III Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources employees, Cagayan State University and Philippine Science High School – Cordillera Administrative Region teachers, veterinarians, medical technologists, pharmacists, and fresh graduate students.

The EULA Training is hinged on the Department of Agriculture’s Administrative Order 40 (AO 40) entitled as the “Rules and regulations on the conduct of scientific procedures using animals”. AO 40 is pursuant to which is pursuant to the Republic Act No. 8485, also known as the “Animal Welfare Act of 1998”.

“We, at the Veterinary Research Department, uphold the Animal Welfare Act of 1998 and envision that every professional who handles laboratory animals will be equipped with the proper knowledge in conducting scientific procedures on animals, and at the same time protect the welfare of these animals being studied,” said Veterinary Research Department Head Dr. Fedelino Malbas.

by Allenor Enciso, Communication and Engagement Office [RITM Web Team]