In the Philippines, the advancement of laboratory animal science is becoming increasingly important in ensuring ethical, humane, and scientifically valid animal research. Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees (IACUCs) are tasked with a critical role — evaluating and approving research protocols that involve animals. To make effective decisions, IACUCs must be well-equipped to assess study objectives, categorize the type and severity of procedures, evaluate scientific merit, and ensure compliance with animal welfare regulations. However, gaps in experience, training, and standardization can hinder effective protocol review. This session focuses on building competency through structured evaluation and categorization using real-life-inspired case studies tailored to the Philippine context.

• Equip participants with a structured approach to evaluating animal research protocols.

• Demonstrate how to categorize studies based on purpose, species, severity, and ethical justifiability.

• Promote consistent application of ethical principles in protocol review.

• Develop critical thinking through analysis of case-based scenarios.

• Strengthen institutional review practices in alignment with national and international standards.

The presentation will begin with a discussion of the core elements of protocol evaluation: justification for animal use, species selection, experimental design, welfare impact, and endpoints. It will then introduce a framework for categorizing studies based on research type (basic, applied, regulatory, educational), severity classification (mild, moderate, severe), and ethical considerations (3Rs — Replacement, Reduction, Refinement). Case studies adapted from Philippine settings — such as biomedical trials, vaccine studies in livestock, and educational dissection labs — will be used to challenge participants to assess protocols, identify issues, and provide recommendations. Each case will guide attendees through the full review process from initial submission to ethical decision-making, encouraging peer discussion and collaborative evaluation.

• Gain confidence in evaluating and categorizing animal study protocols.

• Develop skills in identifying ethical and scientific issues in proposed studies.

• Apply consistent criteria when reviewing and categorizing research protocols.

• Enhance their ability to communicate and justify review decisions within IACUC settings.

• Contribute to improving animal welfare and scientific integrity in Philippine laboratory animal research.

The ethical and scientific evaluation of animal studies is a cornerstone of responsible research. By adopting case-based training approaches, Philippine institutions can strengthen their protocol review systems and align with global standards. With well-informed IACUCs and standardized practices, the country can ensure both animal welfare and research excellence in an evolving scientific landscape.