Animals in Research

Recent Issues related to Animals in Toxicology Research

• OLAW guidance concerning targeting of institutions by animal activists: Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) at www.grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw provides provides guidance on the roles of the Institutional Official and the IACUC in developing plans to diminish the likelihood that their institution or its employees will become targets of animal activists.
  
  FASEB Unveils Web Site on Animal Rights Extremism, Updates Data on Scientific Training and Employment
  
  Bethesda, MD—The Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) has launched a new Webs site to provide the research community with information and resources on animal rights extremism. "We are hoping to raise awareness about the threat posed to biomedical research by groups and individuals who use dangerous, criminal tatics in opposition to research using animal models," said Carrie Wolinetz, Ph.D., FASEB Director of Scientific Affairs and Public Relations. "In particular, we wanted researchers who have been targeted by these groups to have centralized access to the resources available to assist them. Scientists need to know that the research community supports them and they are not alone."
  
  Sen. Inhofe and Rep. Petri Introduce Legislation to Address Animal Extremism
  
  Political Affairs—Example letter to Congressman on use of animals in toxicology research is available through the "Guide to Congress" section, as well as links to relevant legislative issues

  News and Information See notices about breaking news and connect to articles in the SOT Communiqué about animals in research

  Two NIEHS Reports on Toxicity Test Alternatives

  A LANGUAGE AND MESSAGING GUIDE FOR SCIENTISTS DISCUSSING HUMANE, RESPONSIBLE ANIMAL RESEARCH

  1. Whenever possible, the expression animal research should be preceded by the descriptive adjectives: humane, responsible. Unless you are discussing a rare instance of non-compliance in animal care, or historical research that preceded modern animal care techniques, this is almost always appropriate.

  2. Whenever possible, discuss your need for animals, or your study of animals as opposed to your use of animals. Avoid the phrase “research on animals” in favor of “working with animals.”

  3. The notion that there is an essential need for humane, responsible animal research should be reinforced as often as possible.

  4. Avoid the words experiment, experimenting and experimentation. The anti-research movement prefers these words because they can have a sinister connotation.

  5. Under no circumstances should you repeat the word torture - even if you are accused of it. Animal research is conducted according to humane and responsible standards – it is not a sadistic practice. As a general rule, do not repeat any language used in a false and inflammatory accusation against you.

  6. Do not use the words vivisection or anti-vivisection. Vivisector is a label that animal activists use to make researchers sound cruel and sinister. Vivisection, in fact, is simply an experimental surgery on a living being.

  7. When describing researchers and scientists who study animals, don’t hesitate to use a possessive pronoun, for example, researchers take good care of our animals or researchers take good care of their animals versus researchers take good care of the animals.

  8. Remember that our goal is to promote public understanding, respect, and appreciation for humane, responsible animal research in order to build public acceptance and support for the practice. Our goal is not to promote animal research per se. The difference is very significant and distinguishes scientists and researchers from commercial interests.

  9. Promote the fact that veterinary health and medicine is advanced along with human health and medicine through humane, responsible animal research.

  10. Avoid medical and scientific jargon as well as technical explanations of complex scientific concepts

  Resources and related links

  • Inside an Animal House—The Coalition for Medical Progress (UK) shows what life is like inside a research animal care facility
  • Public outreach materials available from SOT headquarters (member only section)
  • Resources from other groups:
    • Questions People Ask—American Physiological Society
    • The Recognition and Alleviation of Pain and Distress—American Association of Laboratory Animal Sciences
    • Laboratory Animal Alternatives "The 3Rs"—Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
    • Product Safety Testing—MSPCA
    • "Cruelty-Free" Labeling—MSPCA
    • The Hope, The Challenge, The People—RDS
    • Reduction: Some examples
    • Memorandum from the House of Lords Committee on Animals in Scientific Procedures—United Kingdom Government Document on Support for Research and Regulatory Guidelines (pdf format)
    • Animals in Research: The Importance of Animals in the Science of Toxicology (Brochure)
    • This brochure explains how toxicology research using animals protects human health and the environment.
      Printable Brochure (pdf format)
    • SOT Toxicology Specialists—Animals in Research
    • Other Research Societies and Groups related to animals in research
      
  • Articles:
    • Bernard D. Goldstein, M.D.: Barking Up the Wrong Tree
      Why are there so many old dogs? Not because of PETA
      Pittsburgh Post.Com, Wednesday, December 28, 2005
      
  • For Children and Educators
    • AMP Student Center—Resources provided by the Americans for Medical Progress
    • SOT K–12 Resources
    • Kids 4 Research
    • USDA for Kids—This site contains a number of links of interest to developing young scientists
    • Animals in Pre-College Education—ILAR (pdf format)
    • A Student's View of the Laboratory--CAATALYST: A Student Newsletter
    • Science for Life Project—Scientific Freedom, Responsibility, and Law is a project of the American Association for the Advancement of Science to disseminate curriculum increasing the understanding of the role of basic research and the standards of responsible research.

  Relevant policy statements from other professional societies

  American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine Public Statement: Medical Records for Animals Used in Research, Teaching and Testing.

  APS Guiding Principles for the Care and Use of Animals—American Physiological
  Society.

  FASEB Statement of Principles for the Use of Animals in Research and Education

  The Use of Animals in Teaching the Biomedical Sciences—American Physiological Society

  Principles and Guidelines for the Use of Animals in Precollege Education—Institute of Laboratory Animal Resources, National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences

  The Use of Animals in Biology Education—National Association of Biology Teachers

  Principles and Guidelines for Responsible use of Animals in the Classroom & Precollege Education—National Science Teachers Association

  Understanding Animal Research in Medicine—RDS (Research Defense Society)

  Animals in Research Public Policy Statement -Society of Toxicology

  Position Statement Regarding the Use of Animals in Toxicology -Society of Toxicology

  Guiding Principles in the Use of Animals in Toxicology-Society of Toxicology