Dear KALAS members,

I would like to thank the members for entrusting me with the 6th president of the Korean Association for Laboratory Animal Science (KALAS).

KALAS was founded in May 1985 and has contributed greatly to the development of life science in Korea.

The efforts of past presidents and all members have developed into a professional academic organization representing the field of laboratory animals in Korea.

Despite the adversity of the COVID-19 pandemic that has engulfed the world for the past two years, KALAS has operated wonderfully with the dedication of President Han-woong Lee and other executives.

Bioethics-related issues continue to arise in Korea as well, and the role of KALAS is required in the process of establishing the relationship between humans and animals.

To establish national bioethical policies, to resolve social issues, and to establish a stable bioethical awareness, we plan to develop a multifaceted response system.

As laboratory animals are incorporated into the national strategic biological resources, research information will be shared in terms of academic support and research strategies.

We will promote to become a society that takes a leading role in stabilizing systems such as 「Animal Protection Act」 and 「Act on Laboratory Animals」, strengthening biosafety, establishing status as bioinfra, and expanding animal experimentation ethics.

In order to harmonize the various members, events that can exchange open academic, cultural, industrial information, and technology are more necessary.

KALAS will provide comprehensive laboratory animal information and support activities by field or occupation.

It is urgently required to improve the status of laboratory animal technicians by strengthening the certification business that has been maintained since 1999.

KALAS is at an important turning point where it should play a central role as a mediator of bioethics, non-clinical trials, and one health as a unity of experts in the life sciences. In addition, we need to take a new leap forward by nurturing professional manpower, strengthening the expertise and ethics of animal experiments, and academic exchanges.

We will continue our great tradition and develop KALAS while communicating with our members.

I ask for your continued support and wish the members health and development.
Thank you very much.

KilSoo Kim, D.V.M., Ph.D
President
The Korean Association for Laboratory Animal Science (KALAS)