Euthanasia

The term euthanasia is derived from the Greek terms "eu" meaning good and "thanatos" meaning death. A "good death" would be one that: occurs with minimal pain and distress; achieves rapid unconsciousness and death; requires minimum restraint; avoids excitement; is appropriate for the age, species, and health of the animal; minimizes fear and psychological stress in the animal; is reliable, reproducible, irreversible, simple to administer and safe for the operator; and, so far as possible, is aesthetically acceptable for the person(s) involved. Death must be verified following euthanasia and prior to disposal of the animal.

Working with laboratory animals is, for many people, an emotional experience. So too is the killing of these animals and any human anxiety may be transferred to the animals. It is essential, therefore, that staff members chosen to euthanase an animal are willing and mentally prepared to do it, and competent in the method chosen. Good training, adequate supervision and empathetic yet directive guidance are all essential.

The conduct of euthanasia for those working with laboratory animals in the UK is quite straightforward. Either the Code of Practice for the Humane Killing of Animals under Schedule 1 to the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 is followed or a project and personal licence authorisation is obtained to use a technique not covered by this Code. The purpose of the Code of Practice is to provide the authorisation, in a straightforward way, to use what are considered safe, humane and acceptable methods. The Certificate Holder is responsible for ensuring anybody performing euthanasia is trained. Note that APC has recently published a review of Schedule 1.

It is worth emphasising a number of key points, especially for those whose primary day-to-day focus is not animal care but who perform euthanasia as part of their animal use for scientific purposes:

• Any method used should not confound any objective of the research - veterinary advice should be sought, and a literature search may be required to ensure the research objective is not confounded
• Personnel responsible for carrying out the euthanasia techniques should be trained - the UK Named Animal Care Welfare Officers and Named Veterinary Surgeons are important source of training and advice
• It is quite normal for that those performing the euthanasia to be affected by this task - support and training should be sought and provided
• For farm animals and less common species, specific advice should be sought (e.g. Humane Slaughter Association )

Even for the use of methods set out in the UK Code of Practice for the Humane Killing of Animals under Schedule 1 to the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 there should be periodic review, e.g. by the establishment's Ethical Review Process. Training and approved methods of euthanasia evolve over time, and different individuals and their establishments may find that what is acceptable to them changes also.

Use of carbon dioxide for euthanasia of laboratory animals is the subject of much debate. A report of a consensus meeting on this issue is available.