Animal Welfare in Developing Country Research Institutions

Research institutions in low- and middle-income countries often have weaker animal welfare infrastructure than those in Europe and North America, creating welfare disparities in global science.

Key Facts

Laboratory animal welfare regulations in low-income countries are often absent or poorly enforced
The International Council for Laboratory Animal Science (ICLAS) supports welfare capacity building globally
Many high-income country research partnerships with developing country institutions lack welfare oversight requirements
Training programs in the 3Rs are increasingly reaching researchers in Africa, Asia, and Latin America
Welfare improvement in developing country research institutions is linked to research quality improvements
WHO guidelines on good clinical and laboratory practice include animal welfare provisions applicable globally

Welfare Considerations

Laboratory animals in institutions without welfare infrastructure suffer from preventable harm: inadequate housing, pain management, and experimental oversight. The global nature of research means that welfare standards in partner institutions affect the overall ethics of internationally funded science. High-income country institutions and funders bear responsibility for ensuring that research partnerships uphold welfare standards equivalent to those required at home. Capacity building in the 3Rs is both an ethical obligation and an investment in research quality.

What You Can Do

Support ICLAS and equivalent organizations building animal welfare capacity in developing countries
Advocate for research funders to require welfare standards in all funded international partnerships
Back training programs in the 3Rs for researchers in low- and middle-income countries
Raise awareness of global welfare disparities in laboratory animal science
Choose to support research institutions that demonstrate explicit commitment to welfare in all their partnerships