Resources

Animals in Research

Education & Advocacy

Americans for Medical Progress
This site provides continuously updated news stories on progress and discovery in biomedicine through the use of animal research, as well as information and statements from opponents and supporters of animal research.

Animal Research is for Human Welfare
An editorial from The Scientist on the growing opposition to animal research and explaining why it was still necessary. Site requires free registration.

The Foundation for Biomedical Research
This animal research advocacy organization website is devoted to recent advancements in medical research and includes lesson plans for discussing animal research.

The Importance of Animal Research to Medical Discovery
An excellent series of questions and answers about the necessity of animal research, prepared by Michael Dabney of UCSD. Contains a wonderful quote by Former U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. C. Everett Koop.

Massachusetts Society for Medical Research
Provides examples of how animal models have led to treatments of both animal and human diseases. MSMR also produces an interactive perpetual calendar entitled "People and Animals: United for Health", aimed at children, which talks, among other things, about animal research contributions to veterinary medicine.

Michigan Society for Medical Research
Brochures explain how animal research has led to progress against animal and human diseases.

Myths About Animal Research
There's a lot of false information out there, propagated by a variety of organizations, claiming that animal research benefits no one. This site debunks some of the most common misperceptions, compiling information from a variety of sources.

New Jersey Biomedical Research Association

North Carolina Association for Biomedical Research
This group offers tips for scientists to better communicate with the public about research.

Southwest Association for Education in Biomedical Research
This group has an exceptional site entitled "When Animals Help Animals" which has numerous fact sheets, news reports, research papers and anecdotal-style stories of animal research aimed at solving animal medical problems. Archives include a 5-part series from the Seattle Post Intelligencer highlighting animal research, and a Foundation for Biomedical Research campaign, "Survivors," that explains benefits of animal research for veterinary medicine.

States United for Biomedical Research
Not only does this site contain information on how different animals have contributed to medical knowledge, but it is a gateway to the state biomedical research advocacy groups. The state groups have a wide array of educational materials on the benefits of animal research, activities for students and educators and discussions of local issues.

Understanding Animal Research
Understanding Animal Research aims to achieve broad understanding and acceptance of the humane use of animals in biomedical research in the UK, to advance science and medicine.

Guidelines & Regulations

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
A branch of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), APHIS is the agency in charge of administering the Animal Welfare Act, which regulates animal care. This site links to a great deal of information on laws and regulations regarding animal welfare, as well as government reports on the subject.

National Institutes of Health – Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW)
While some species of laboratory animal are not protected under the Animal Welfare Act, the majority of these lab animals are covered by the Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. OLAW's website outlines NIH's regulations and policies on the use of animals in research and provides researchers information on where to get training to work with or serve on Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees (IACUC).

Institute for Laboratory Animal Research (ILAR)
The Institute for Laboratory Animal Research is under the auspices of the National Academies of Science. They prepare authoritative reports and educational materials on the care and use of animals in research. ILAR's Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals has become the standard for lab animal care. ILAR's web site contains links to their journal, which covers the latest research on lab animal welfare, as well as copies of their other publications.

Scientists Center for Animal Welfare (SCAW)
The primary purpose of this site is to educate scientists and educators about the best practices for lab animal care. It includes information on IACUC training and changes in regulations regarding animal care, and provides a forum to exchange scientific information regarding lab animal welfare.

Essentials for Animal Research – IACUC
Excellent online text created as a joint effort of the National Agricultural Library, USDA, and the University of Illinois–Chicago. Primarily aimed at educating lab personnel and researchers about the regulations governing IACUC and issues of animal welfare.

IACUC Central
This site is a wonderful resource for Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees, as well as those who wish to learn more about how IACUCs work. Mainly consists of organized links to information on regulations, guidelines, databases, and other resources.

Animal Research Professionals

American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS)
An excellent resource for researchers working with, or wishing to educate others, about animal research. Information on this site includes certification programs and professional development activities for individuals who work with lab animals, conference information, and educational information about lab animal research. There are downloadable publications and PowerPoint presentations about the importance of animals in biomedical research.

Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC)
AAALAC promotes humane treatment of lab animals through a voluntary accreditation program. The site includes information on what accreditation entails, how to apply, what institutes have been accredited and international resources. Also a good source of information on humane animal care and use.

American College of Laboratory Medicine (ACLAM)
ACLAM offers certification of lab animal professionals – their site contains information on certification and professional development materials for animal research personnel.

Federal Regulations for Animal Research
A short overview of how federal regulations for animal research affect experimental design and the IACUC process. From the Online Ethics Center for Engineering and Science at Case Western University.

Other Scientific Societies

American Physiological Society
The APS site highlights the latest news on issues and regulations regarding animal research, useful for both scientists and the public. Also includes a link to an excellent, downloadable publication called Finding Cures, Saving Lives.

American Psychological Association
A brochure explains the use of animals in psychological research. Included are the APA's guidelines for ethical conduct in the care and use of animals in research.

Use of Animals in Research and Education
On 9 and 10 June 1994, representatives from FASEB's Constituent Societies convened the FASEB Consensus Conference on Animals in Biomedical Research. Conferees developed this Statement of Principles, which has been adopted by the FASEB Board.

Society of Toxicology
The Society's Animals in Research Committee activities and policy statements are available.