Reducing Animal Use in Ecotoxicity Testing and Biomonitoring
The Department of the Interior (DOI) generates scientific information needed to support the conservation and management of the nation’s natural resources. This includes conducting ecotoxicological research and testing. These activities may involve the biomonitoring of contaminants in the environment, conducting environmental damage assessments (for example, after an oil spill), and analyzing new diagnostic test methods. These activities may use animals or animal alternatives such as in vitro or in silico methods.
The DOI is committed to contemporary scientific methods and technologies with the goal of using fewer animals and increasing the use of non-animal alternatives.
The DOI is a member of The Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Validation of Alternative Methods (ICCVAM). ICCVAM was established in 2000 to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of federal agency efforts to replace, reduce, and refine the use of animals for toxicity testing (referred to as the “3Rs”). ICCVAM is comprised of 17 federal agencies that require, generate, or use toxicological testing information. Government-wide efforts are underway to develop metrics and track progress on adoption of the 3Rs and alternative methods.
As a member of ICCVAM, the DOI is seeking to promote the use of alternative methods by
- Creating a DOI Animal Alternatives Work Group.
- Compiling information on ecotoxicological research being conducted across the DOI Bureaus and to identify specific training needs.
- Creating, in collaboration with the USDA Animal Welfare Information Center, a course designed to meet the specific needs of DOI staff.
- Providing an internal site for staff to access information on resources and training opportunities.
The Principle of the 3Rs
The principle of the 3Rs was first defined by Russell and Burch more than 50 years ago, in their book The Principles of Humane Experimental Technique. The 3Rs provide a framework for conducting more humane animal research and are the foundation of Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees (IACUCs) that review research activities involving live animals. Advances in science and technology have resulted in more tools and methods to realistically replace the use of animals in ecotoxicity testing.
Replacement
Replacement refers to replacing animals in research or testing whenever possible while still achieving the intended scientific goals. This can be done by utilizing literature reviews and metadata analysis, or it can be achieved by using non-animal systems or toxicity models. Examples of non-animal systems include in vitro tests, cell and tissue culture, and computer models.
Reduction
Reduction refers to reducing the number of animals required to provide scientifically valid results. An example would be utilizing in silico methods such as statistical modeling.
Refinement
Refinement refers to making improvements to the study or modifying study methods to decrease pain, suffering, or distress. Examples include utilizing analgesics or providing housing that allows the expression of species-specific behaviors.
Extending the 3Rs into the Principle of the 6Rs
The concept of the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement) forms the foundation of animal alternative approaches. More recently three additional principles have been proposed—Reproducibility, Relevance, and Regulatory Acceptance. The adoption of the extended 6Rs principle is a step forward in ensuring both the ethics of animal use and the scientific validity of animal alternatives.
Learn More
USGS Animal Welfare Assurance
U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal Welfare Information Center (AWIC)
DOI Mission
- DOI protects and manages the Nation’s natural resources and cultural heritage; provides scientific and other information about those resources; and honors its trust responsibilities or special commitments to American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and affiliated Island Communities.
- DOI is comprised of various offices as well as nine technical Bureaus. The Agency plays a major role in the stewardship of public lands and the protection of the nation’s natural resources. For example, DOI, in collaboration with state agencies, has responsibility for the management of fish and wildlife, as well as threatened and endangered species. DOI also has responsibility for restoring and preserving fish and freshwater mussel populations in the U.S.
Ecotoxicology Activities Conducted by DOI
DOI, in collaboration with state agencies, has responsibility for the management of fish, and wildlife, as well as threatened and endangered species.
Activities to support this mission:
- USGS and FWS are two of DOI’s nine bureaus that conduct ecotoxicology testing to help inform potential and actual risk of environmental contaminants on aquatic species, terrestrial species, and ecosystems.
- Biomonitoring of invertebrates, fish, and wildlife in a variety of environmental settings is undertaken to obtain data on the exposure and adverse effects of environmental contaminants.
- Development of new in vitro high throughput screening and in silico test procedures for pest and invasive fish control agents that replace traditional toxicity tests using whole fish assays
- Registration of candidate replacements for highly toxic lead shot that was historically used in the hunting of waterfowl and coots.
Resources
- Alternative approaches to vertebrate ecotoxicity tests in the 21st century: a review of developments over the last two decades and current status
- Assessing Contaminant Hazards Without a Critter – Advancements in Alternatives to Animal Toxicity Testing
- Wildlife ecological risk assessment in the 21st century: Promising technologies to assess toxicological effects
- Current ecotoxicity testing needs among selected U.S. Federal agencies
- ICCVAM Biennial Reports
The Department of the Interior (DOI) generates scientific information needed to support the conservation and management of the nation’s natural resources. This includes conducting ecotoxicological research and testing. These activities may involve the biomonitoring of contaminants in the environment, conducting environmental damage assessments (for example, after an oil spill), and analyzing new diagnostic test methods. These activities may use animals or animal alternatives such as in vitro or in silico methods.
The DOI is committed to contemporary scientific methods and technologies with the goal of using fewer animals and increasing the use of non-animal alternatives.
The DOI is a member of The Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Validation of Alternative Methods (ICCVAM). ICCVAM was established in 2000 to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of federal agency efforts to replace, reduce, and refine the use of animals for toxicity testing (referred to as the “3Rs”). ICCVAM is comprised of 17 federal agencies that require, generate, or use toxicological testing information. Government-wide efforts are underway to develop metrics and track progress on adoption of the 3Rs and alternative methods.
As a member of ICCVAM, the DOI is seeking to promote the use of alternative methods by
- Creating a DOI Animal Alternatives Work Group.
- Compiling information on ecotoxicological research being conducted across the DOI Bureaus and to identify specific training needs.
- Creating, in collaboration with the USDA Animal Welfare Information Center, a course designed to meet the specific needs of DOI staff.
- Providing an internal site for staff to access information on resources and training opportunities.
The Principle of the 3Rs
The principle of the 3Rs was first defined by Russell and Burch more than 50 years ago, in their book The Principles of Humane Experimental Technique. The 3Rs provide a framework for conducting more humane animal research and are the foundation of Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees (IACUCs) that review research activities involving live animals. Advances in science and technology have resulted in more tools and methods to realistically replace the use of animals in ecotoxicity testing.
Replacement
Replacement refers to replacing animals in research or testing whenever possible while still achieving the intended scientific goals. This can be done by utilizing literature reviews and metadata analysis, or it can be achieved by using non-animal systems or toxicity models. Examples of non-animal systems include in vitro tests, cell and tissue culture, and computer models.
Reduction
Reduction refers to reducing the number of animals required to provide scientifically valid results. An example would be utilizing in silico methods such as statistical modeling.
Refinement
Refinement refers to making improvements to the study or modifying study methods to decrease pain, suffering, or distress. Examples include utilizing analgesics or providing housing that allows the expression of species-specific behaviors.
Extending the 3Rs into the Principle of the 6Rs
The concept of the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement) forms the foundation of animal alternative approaches. More recently three additional principles have been proposed—Reproducibility, Relevance, and Regulatory Acceptance. The adoption of the extended 6Rs principle is a step forward in ensuring both the ethics of animal use and the scientific validity of animal alternatives.
Learn More
USGS Animal Welfare Assurance
U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal Welfare Information Center (AWIC)
DOI Mission
- DOI protects and manages the Nation’s natural resources and cultural heritage; provides scientific and other information about those resources; and honors its trust responsibilities or special commitments to American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and affiliated Island Communities.
- DOI is comprised of various offices as well as nine technical Bureaus. The Agency plays a major role in the stewardship of public lands and the protection of the nation’s natural resources. For example, DOI, in collaboration with state agencies, has responsibility for the management of fish and wildlife, as well as threatened and endangered species. DOI also has responsibility for restoring and preserving fish and freshwater mussel populations in the U.S.
Ecotoxicology Activities Conducted by DOI
DOI, in collaboration with state agencies, has responsibility for the management of fish, and wildlife, as well as threatened and endangered species.
Activities to support this mission:
- USGS and FWS are two of DOI’s nine bureaus that conduct ecotoxicology testing to help inform potential and actual risk of environmental contaminants on aquatic species, terrestrial species, and ecosystems.
- Biomonitoring of invertebrates, fish, and wildlife in a variety of environmental settings is undertaken to obtain data on the exposure and adverse effects of environmental contaminants.
- Development of new in vitro high throughput screening and in silico test procedures for pest and invasive fish control agents that replace traditional toxicity tests using whole fish assays
- Registration of candidate replacements for highly toxic lead shot that was historically used in the hunting of waterfowl and coots.
Resources
- Alternative approaches to vertebrate ecotoxicity tests in the 21st century: a review of developments over the last two decades and current status
- Assessing Contaminant Hazards Without a Critter – Advancements in Alternatives to Animal Toxicity Testing
- Wildlife ecological risk assessment in the 21st century: Promising technologies to assess toxicological effects
- Current ecotoxicity testing needs among selected U.S. Federal agencies
- ICCVAM Biennial Reports