Guest Blog: ALR Special Edition
By Lenore Montanaro | June 26th, 2024
In June 2024, Lewis & Clark Law School’s Animal Law Review published an article that I wrote. This issue of the Law Review focuses on animals used in biomedical research and toxicity testing, and my article examines how this issue is addressed internationally. It discusses ethical codes and systems for using animals in research, testing, and education across the globe; surveys whether countries incorporate ethical considerations; and provides suggested pathways to advance the law and science, in alignment with the Three Rs—Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement.
I wrote this article to provide readers with better insight into global ethical considerations for using animals in research and testing. In preparing the piece, I reached out to individuals all over the world who advocate for animal protections in scientific research. I am incredibly grateful to the individuals who provided country-specific information to me.
The process of conducting research for this piece demonstrated to me that there are many global advocates working on behalf of animals used in research. Furthermore, the advancements made by some nations could serve as valuable models for others to review and possibly adopt. In this way, I believe the article can serve as a springboard for global-focused advocacy and policy work in support of animals used in research, facilitating worldwide connections and conversations.
At the same time, I hope that each reader is inspired to take steps as an individual to alchemize positive changes for animals and people. These steps are needed now more than ever, as many of the issues that scientists and researchers want to solve are critical and cross national borders. Much of what science seeks to answer are problems that impact planetary human (and animal) health and wellbeing. I feel a sense of urgency because scientific work has the potential to save and improve countless lives. I know many others who feel this way too. Finding the best way forward will take dedication, effort, and cooperation among the scientific community and animal advocates.
Although the article presents a global focus of ethical considerations for animals used in research, this article also reveals that even one person—or one entity or locale—can take steps to try to transform law, policy, and science. Considering the interconnectedness between humans and animals, it is possible that even a single individual, group, or locality has the power to try to catalyze positive change, influencing others and nations to do the same.
I am thankful to Paul Locke and Rebecca Critser for inviting me to author an article. Also, I am thankful to the editors of the Lewis & Clark Law School Animal Law Review for their diligent and careful work to drive the publication of this piece forward.
Lenore M. Montanaro, Esq. teaches animal law at the Roger Williams University School of Law, Bristol, Rhode Island, United States. She served as chair of the American Bar Association Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section Animal Law Committee (2021-2022) and is a fellow of the American Bar Foundation, an honor bestowed to only 1% of attorneys in each state within the United States. She received a B.A. in English from the College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States and a J.D. from the Western New England University School of Law, Springfield, Massachusetts, United States. Lenore is licensed to practice law in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, the District of Columbia, the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island, the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, the First Circuit Court of Appeals, and the U.S. Supreme Court.
The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Johns Hopkins University or Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
