NAIA policy statement: Animal-based research
Incredible advances in human and animal health have been made as a result of
carefully designed and implemented research protocols. Vaccines, anesthetics,
pain medications, surgical procedures, diagnostic tests, therapeutic drugs,
treatment plans for diseases and injuries, and preventive practices have been
developed through animal research. At the same time, scientists have improved
the care of animals used in research, and they have developed techniques and
technologies that led to a reduction in the number of animals needed for biomedical
research, refined the techniques that involve animals, and replaced animals
with alternatives when possible.
The well-being of animals in scientific facilities is of the utmost importance
to those who conduct the research and those who oversee the protocols. Scientists
are aided by Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees made up of colleagues
and members of the community who review research plans to consider the scientific
and ethical ramifications, determine that the proper number of an appropriate
species is designated in the plan, and monitor progress of the work.
"Research" covers a broad spectrum of psychological, medical, behavioral, physiological,
and nutritional topics; provides opportunities for veterinarians, physicians,
and other medical professionals to gain necessary experience; helps identify
acceptable and unacceptable side effects of pharmaceuticals and procedures;
and facilitates the development of products and processes that enhance human
and animal life. NAIA supports the necessary use of animals for these purposes
when conducted according to Federal Animal Welfare act regulations and the guidelines
of the National Institutes of Health
and the Association for Assessment
and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care. NAIA also urges the continued
development of alternatives that can effectively replace animals where possible
and reduce the numbers of animals where practical without adverse impact on
scientific progress.
((Links to the AWA and AWA regulations can be found at the APHIS publications
page at www.aphis.usda.gov/ac/publications.html))
In addition, NAIA backs the responsible use of animals at all levels of education
so that students can gain first-hand experience about animal behavior and physiology
for increased awareness about the traits and needs of animals, the interaction
between animals and their environment, and the importance of animal-based research
to medical and environmental science and to society.
Suggested reading:
Be sure to see these additional NAIA policy statements
Introduction / Pet Ownership / Dogs / Pets and the Community / Guardianship
Animals in Entertainment / Animal husbandry / Agriculture / Research / Wildlife
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