Quebec research community commits to transparency on animal testing
18 organizations including CHUM, MUHC, and major universities signed an agreement to disclose how and why they use animals in research.
The day's top stories, food & events — every morning at 7. Unsubscribe anytime.
Eighteen major Canadian scientific organizations signed a transparency agreement Tuesday committing to open disclosure about their use of animals in research — a milestone that pulls Quebec into a global movement toward accountability in science.
Signatories include universities of Montreal and Laval, the CHUM and MUHC research centres, the National Institute of Scientific Research (INRS), the Canadian Association of Laboratory Animal Medicine, and the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association.
Under the agreement, organizations commit to clearly stating when, how, and why they use animals; improving public and media communications about their research; offering broader information on the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) oversight system and Canadian standards; and reporting annually on progress.
Outgoing president of the Canadian Association for Laboratory Animal Medicine and Canadian delegate to the European Animal Research Association, Lucie Côté, called the move "a major step forward for transparency in science in Canada." Kirk Leech, executive director of the European Animal Research Association, described Canada's joining as historic. "This represents the most significant expansion of this movement to date, fully integrating one of the world's leading scientific nations."
The agreement recognizes animal research as sensitive and complex — one that often sparks strong emotion — making it crucial for the scientific community to share clear, accurate information and relevant context.