Animal Research: Proposed New Guidelines

Colleagues in the medical and biological areas who conduct animal research should be aware of a  systemwide 17-page proposal for revised guidelines on such research. Comments are due February 18.

Excerpt: ...The updated Policy on the Use of Animals in Research, Teaching, and Testing:

• Reiterates UC’s commitment to the responsible, humane use and care of animals in research, teaching, and testing.

• Includes considerations for wildlife and agricultural animals in research, teaching, and testing.

• Establishes a minimum set of procedures that all campuses are expected to maintain for administering a successful Animal Care and Use Program.

• Updates the list of currently applicable laws and regulations relevant to the health and safety of animals used in research, teaching and testing...

[The] 3Rs [are] internationally accepted principles for the ethical consideration of animals in

research. The 3Rs principles are:

Reduction = minimizing the number of animals used, without jeopardizing statistical validity

Refinement = use of methods which minimize the pain, suffering, distress or lasting harm that research animals might experience

Replacement = avoiding the use of animals in an experiment where possible, and substituting with non-animal method (e.g., computer simulation) or lower animal species where appropriate...

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Full document at https://senate.universityofcalifornia.edu/_files/underreview/use-of-animals-research-teaching-policy-review.pdf.