（独）放射線医学総合研究所実験動物開発・管理課の紹介

Since its founding in 1957, the National Institute of Radiological Sciences (NIRS) has been the only research and development institution in Japan dedicated to comprehensive research and development of radiation and health with various scientific disciplines. The main characteristics of laboratory animal experiments at NIRS are as follows: (1) the study of long-term biological effects on labol'8tory animals after exposure of various line types to nuclides of radioactive substances, (2) the use of animals maintained under strict quality control from a microbiological viewpoint, and (3) the use of wide range of imaging devices to capture images when radioactive substances are used. We deal with various types of animals, from fish to primates, and the breeding and feeding periods of these animals range from few days to approximately 2 years. Furthermore, special attention is given to carcasses and organs of laboratory animals that are treated as RI as well as nuclear fuel wastes, whereas such a restriction does not apply in regular experiments. There are 11 animal experimentation facilities at NIRS. The radiation control and animal management areas are located next to each other on the same site, and radiation workers at these areas are under supervision, strict management, and control. Safety education and training program are also provided to workers as a prerequisite. Not only from a Japanese but also from a global standard viewpoint, a high level of safety management is required for these facilities. During an external assessment in 2009, we received high evaluation marks from the Japanese Association of Laboratory Animal Facilities of National University Corporations and the Japanese Association of Laboratory Animal Facilities of Public and Private Universities for performing animal experiments with consideration of the ethical aspects and well-being of laboratory animals, as well as for the management of facilities.

放射線医学総合研究所(放医研)は1957年の創立以来､放射線と人々の健康に関わる研究開発に多数分野の学問を糾合して総合的に取り組む国内で唯一の研究開発機関である。放医研の動物実験の特徴は①多種の線種･核種の放射性物質を実験動物に照射後､長期に渡って飼育することによる生物学的影響を検索すること。② そのため､微生物学的に厳密に統御された動物を用いる必要があること､③放射性物質を用いた多種のイメージング装置による撮像の2点である。用いられる動物種は魚類から霊長類まで幅広く､飼育期間も数日で終了するものもあれば､約2年間に渡って飼育する場合もある。更に､実験終了後の動物死体､臓器はRI廃棄物､核燃料廃棄物として扱 わねばならないと云う制約がある等通常の動物実験では必要とされない特殊な対応が求められている。放医研構内にこれらの動物実験施設は11ヶ所設置されており､放射線管理区域と動物管理区域がこれらの施設内で混在していることから実験者の立ち入りについても厳重な管理とそれに先立つ教育訓練を実施している。このように国内はもとより､国外でも稀な施設管理が求められているが2009年に国公私動協による外部検証で施設管理および動物倫理･福祉に配慮した適正な動物実験の遂行について高い評価を得た。

施設めぐり (Introduction of the Animal Research Facilities in Japan)