ИСТИНА

The ethical review of animal experiments is a developing area in Russia. Various scientific institutions set up the Bioethics Commissions, however, its members and researchers do not always clearly understand the ethical review process. For the better understanding Rus-LASA representatives conducted the board educational game “Bioethics Commission’ Meeting”. The aim of the game is the discussion of the project of an animal experiment by the teams of Bioethics Commission and Scientists. All players are randomly assigned the roles of those teams. The set of the game includes the cards with the items of the resources needed for the experiment; a playing field, on which the resources are placed and the game currency (“LAScoins”), the amount of which is determined by a die roll. The playing field possesses sections the "Adverse Effects" and "Measures to reduce pain/distress/suffering", which the Scientists must complete in a situation of insufficient resources. The task of the team of Scientists is to fill in the playing field so that suffering of animals in the planned experiment is minimized. The Bioethics Commission members construct an "ideal" experiment. During the Bioethics Commission’ Meeting (the final round of the game), the 3Rs for this animal experiment are discussed, and finally the Commission may either accept or reject this project. The game is intended to promote a ‘culture of care’ and disseminate the 3Rs; its introduction may facilitate communication between researchers and the Bioethics Commissions. The game has been repeatedly approved at the Rus-LASA’ Conferences and training courses.