Biosecurity systems in laboratory animal facilities protect animal health and scientific validity, but failures cause disease, suffering, and loss of research animals that could have been prevented.
Biosecurity failures in laboratory animal facilities cause both direct and indirect welfare harms. Direct harms come from disease itself — infected animals experience illness, pain, and distress. Indirect harms come from the consequences of outbreak discovery, including colony depopulation that kills large numbers of healthy and sick animals alike. The stress of depopulation events, disease treatment, and rederivation procedures adds further welfare burden. Many biosecurity failures are attributable to personnel error — inadequate training, rushed procedures, or failure to follow protocols. Investing in training, clear protocols, and a safety culture that encourages reporting of potential breaches is essential for maintaining both animal welfare and scientific integrity.