title: [Laboratory animals and official Mexican norms (NOM-062-ZOO-1999)].
abstract: This article concerns animal experimentation and official Mexican norm Nom 0062-Zoo-1999 entitled Technical specifications for the production, care and use of laboratory animals. The history of animal experimentation is briefly resumed. During the nineteenth century, doubts arose as to the right to expose animals to experimental procedures that frequently cause pain and suffering. The first law which protected animals against cruelty was passed in Great Britain in 1876; subsequently, other nations approved similar legislation. During the second part of the twentieth century, opposition to animal experimentation grew. Other groups, mainly scientists and pharmaceutical concerns, defended the right to use animals in research. New knowledge concerning the neurophysiology, cognitive capacity, and the animal faculty to experience pain is briefly mentioned. Guidelines on care and use of animals used in research published in several countries are listed. Finally, the recently published Mexican legislation (Norm) referring to production, care and use of laboratory animals is discussed and its benefits are stressed.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Patología, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Circuito Exterior S/N, Ciudad Universitaria, CP 04510 México, D.F. aline@servidor.unam.mx
authors.forename: Aline S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: de Aluja
mesh_terms: D017087:Animal Rights / Q000266:history / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D000827:Animal Welfare / Q000266:history* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D000818:Animals; D000830:Animals, Laboratory / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D026688:Bioethical Issues; D002415:Cats; D002417:Cattle; D004285:Dogs; D005060:Europe; D049668:History, 15th Century; D049669:History, 16th Century; D049670:History, 17th Century; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049691:History, Medieval; D008800:Mexico; D014481:United States