Malaysia's Big Step in Animal Research Ethics

Malaysia made a big move in 2025 to improve how lab animals are treated. They celebrated the second Asia Laboratory Animal Day (ALAD) with a three-month program. This wasn't just a one-day event. It was a series of activities from September to November. The goal? To make sure everyone involved in animal research knows how to do it right. The program included workshops on how to handle rodents and take blood samples without causing too much stress. There were also lectures on ethics and animal welfare. The idea was to make sure everyone, from researchers to students, understood the importance of treating animals humanely.One of the biggest moments was when the Laboratory Animal Science Association of Malaysia (LASAM) and Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) signed a deal. This deal is about working together to improve training, set better standards, and make sure everyone follows the rules. The results were impressive. Over 92% of people who took part learned more about the 3Rs (Replace, Reduce, Refine) and how to recognize when an animal is suffering. More than 95% became better at handling rodents. Plus, more people wanted to join LASAM, showing that interest in this field is growing. Malaysia's approach is a great example for other countries. By focusing on training, teamwork, and ethical guidelines, they are making animal research better and more humane. This is not just about following rules. It's about making sure science is done the right way.