Tailoring enrichment to GA mice (2012)

Fawcett, A.

Abstract

Philosopher and ethicist Professor Bernard Rollin recently wrote that animal researchers should “do the utmost to minimise animal suffering arising in the course of animal research, and maximise the animal's ability to live a life where the interests and needs flowing from its biological and psychological nature are respected” (Rollin 2012). But in the case of genetically altered (GA) mice, biological and psychological nature—or phenotype—may be highly variable. In such cases, flexibility, creativity and information-sharing are required to tailor environmental enrichment (EE) such that the basic needs of these animals are satisfied while ensuring the minimal number of animals is used.