2015 CFHS National Animal Welfare Conference
Why Animals in Science Matter
Dr. Elisabeth Ormandy, Lecturer, UBC Animal Welfare Program and Independent
Research Consultant, BC SPCA
Dr. Sara Dubois, Chief Scientific Officer, BC SPCA, and Adjunct Professor, UBC Animal
Welfare Program
Shawn Eccles, Manager, Cruelty Investigations, BC SPCA, and CCAC Director of the
Board
For decades, the use of animals for scientific purposes has been cause for heated ethical debate.
Some people argue that the use of animals in research, testing and teaching is necessary and
justifiable for the advancement of science and medicine, while others argue that it is never
acceptable to expose sentient beings to (sometimes painful) experimental procedures.
Current statistics for Canada report a minimum of 3.3 million animals used in science (i.e.
research, teaching and testing) by institutions under the Canadian Council on Animal Care
(CCAC) Program. There is no specific federal law protecting animals in science; however, a
somewhat complex quasi-regulatory system oversees the use of these animals, and serves to set
and maintain standards for their care and use. While there are policies in place to govern animalbased research, universities and other institutions using animals in research rarely open up the
issues of their animal use for a broader public conversation. Further, animals used for scientific
purposes by privately funded companies are not required to be governed by CCAC or report their
animal use.
As such, it can be challenging for those in the humane movement to gain access to information
about the animals or the purpose of their use. How best, then, can the humane movement act in
the interests of animals used for scientific purposes? What are the key issues at hand? And how
can current humane organizations play a more meaningful role in protecting those animals used
in science, while also pushing to end the most contentious practices?
Key Learnings:
1. The current state of animals in science (teaching, testing, research) in Canada (facts and
figures)
2. The governance system, how it operates, and how lack of openness is a challenge
3. Key areas focus for humane organizations and individuals, and how to get involved in
your community
Speaker Biographies:
Elisabeth Ormandy has an undergraduate degree in Neuroscience, a Masters degree in Animal
Welfare and Behaviour, and gained her PhD with the UBC Animal Welfare Program in 2012
with work focused on the ethics of animal-based research. She recently completed a SSHRC102-30 Concourse Gate, Ottawa, Ontario K2E 7V7
(888) 678-2347
fax / téléc: (613) 723-0252
info@cfhs.ca
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funded postdoctoral fellowship working in the area of openness and ethical governance of animal
research. Elisabeth currently teaches undergraduate courses at UBC in Ethical Issues in Science,
Animals and Society, Animals and Global Issues, and Animals, Politics, and Ethics. She is also a
former research fellow of the Canadian Council on Animal Care, and currently sits on the
Council as a representative for the Canadian Bioethics Society.
Sara Dubois first joined the BC Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals as manager of
the Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre near Victoria from 2004-08, and continues to provide toplevel oversight to the facility. As Chief Scientific Officer, she now directs province-wide animal
welfare science operations, education and advocacy projects. Her area of expertise is in wildlife
welfare and relevant social science research, but her role also aims to develop relationships with
academia and advocate for animals used in science. She has participated on numerous policy
development committees and serves on Canadian Council of Animal Care Assessment
Committees. Sara has a Biology BSc, Animal Science MSc, and Animal Science PhD, and is an
Adjunct Professor at UBC’s Applied Biology Program.
102-30 Concourse Gate, Ottawa, Ontario K2E 7V7
(888) 678-2347
fax / téléc: (613) 723-0252
info@cfhs.ca
www.cfhs.ca