Purpose
In order to comply with government regulations (PHS and
USDA) and the Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory
Animal Care International (AAALAC-I), the University of Connecticut Health
Center's Animal Care Committee (ACC) has implemented a policy regarding a code
of ethics for the care and use of animals.
Action
- It is recognized that in many research protocols there
is simply no alternative to the use of live animals. All investigators
have an ethical obligation to explore ways in which animals can be partially
or totally replaced by biological or mathematical/computer systems. When
a research question can be pursued using reasonably available non-animal or
in vitro models and still result in scientifically relevant conclusions,
the investigator should choose those alternatives.
- When live animals are used in research or biological
testing, there must be a reasonable expectation that such utilization will
contribute to the enhancement of human or animal health, the advancement of
knowledge, and/or the good of society. The relative value of the study
is a particularly important consideration in potentially painful experiments
where there is an ethical imperative that the benefits of the research clearly
outweigh any pain, discomfort, and distress experienced by the animals.
- Selection of an appropriate animal model is an
important consideration, particularly at a time when alternative models for
animal research are being emphasized. It is the investigator's
responsibility to select the optimal species for a particular project.
In addition, the number of animals utilized in a protocol should be minimized
consistent with sound scientific and statistical standards. It is also
the investigator's responsibility to consider the source of the animal and
ensure that all animals used for experimental research are acquired in a
manner consistent with ACC and CLAC policies.
- When animals are used in a research project, the
investigator has an ethical obligation to seek the least painful techniques
feasible that will allow the protocol objective(s) to be pursued adequately.
If a procedure has associated pain, discomfort, or distress, it is imperative
that the investigator estimate the occurrence, magnitude, and duration of the
pain, discomfort, or distress in order to adequately plan for the treatment of
pain.
- In potentially painful procedures, the investigator
must take all necessary steps to assess and monitor pain as well as discomfort
and distress. In assessing pain, the investigator should use behavioral
signs based on the normal behavior pattern of the species under study.
- If a procedure will cause more than momentary slight
pain or distress to the animal, the pain must be minimized both in intensity
and duration through the administration of appropriate anesthetics,
analgesics, and tranquilizers consistent with acceptable standards of
veterinary medicine. It should be emphasized that the requirement for
the alleviation/reduction of pain applies not only at the time the procedure
is being conducted, but also following the procedure until such time when the
pain is either alleviated or reduced to an acceptable tolerance level.
- Potentially painful experiments should not be conducted
on an awake animal under the influence of a paralytic or curarizing drug
without the concomitant use of an appropriate anesthetic.
- Research in which painful stimuli are used should be so
designed as to provide a means of escape from that pain by the animals.
- It is recognized that in certain research protocols,
the administration of appropriate anesthetics and/or analgesics will
compromise the scientific validity of the experiment. Such experiments
must be justifiable in terms of scientific design and value, and the deletion
of these drugs should be based on referenced scientific fact or experimental
data and not intuition. In addition, pain, discomfort, and distress
levels should be carefully monitored. There is a limitation on the pain
to which an experimental animal may be exposed. Investigators should
choose the earliest possible end-point in order to minimize pain and
discomfort. An animal that is observed to be in a state of severe pain
that cannot be alleviated or reduced to an acceptable tolerance level should
be immediately euthanized.
- No animal should be subjected to multiple survival
surgeries, except where they are inter-related and essential to the primary
research objective.
- Physical restraint procedures should be used on an
awake animal only after alternative procedures have been considered and found
to be inadequate. If a restraint will be utilized, the animal should be
trained or conditioned to the restraining device, using positive
reinforcement, prior to the beginning of the experiment. The restraining
device should provide the minimum restraint consistent with the maximum
security and comfort of the animal. In addition, the restraining device
should provide the animal with the greatest possible opportunity to assume its
normal postural adjustments. Awake animals should not be subjected to
prolonged physical restraint.
- It is the responsibility of the investigator to ensure
that adequate post-surgical/procedural care is provided to all animals.
This care must meet acceptable standards of veterinary medicine and be
provided as long as necessary, including during non-duty hours.
- Euthanasia is the act of inducing painless death.
The proposed method of euthanasia must be consistent with the recommendations
of the American
Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Panel on Euthanasia (2000). If
an animal will not be subjected to euthanasia at the completion of a research
protocol, it is the responsibility of the investigator to ensure that the
final disposition of the animal is both humane and acceptable.
- Procedures involving the use of animals should be
performed by, or under the immediate supervision of, an individual with the
appropriate training and experience relative to the procedures to be carried
out on live animals.
Effective Dates: September 27, 2007 through
September 26, 2010
This policy has been approved by a majority vote of the Animal Care Committee
Members
Joseph Lorenzo, M.D., Chair, Animal Care Committee
