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Animals in Research

The Animals in Research Committee is the focus of SOT activities relating to the effective and humane use of laboratory animals in research and is concerned with the development of valid alternatives to animal testing. Members of the Committee are appointed by the SOT president. The Committee provides advice to the membership, identifies resources for use in public outreach, staffs an exhibit at the SOT Annual Meeting, and organizes the Colgate-Palmolive In Vitro Lecture for Students.

Animals in Research Committee

2007-2008 Committee (accessible to members)

Animals in Research Brochure

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 Awards and Special Recognition related to Animal Research

Recent Issues related to Animals in Toxicology Research

  • The EPA Future of Toxicity Testing Workgroup will develop a proposal that would identify the process under which the workgroup will establish a more detailed blueprint that responds to the National Academy of Sciences report directing less reliance on animal studies in toxicology. According to the Risk Policy Report, EPA, state, academic and industry researchers have said that the recommendations included in the NAS June report and a new related report on toxicogenomics will take years to implement.
  • The report from the NAS entitled "Applications of Toxicogenomic Technologies to Predictive Toxicology and Risk Assessment" concludes that the technological hurdles that could have limited the reproducibility of data from toxicogenomic technologies have been resolved and recommends ways for the field to move forward. Toxicogenomic technologies provide tools to better understand the mechanisms through which environmental agents initiate and advance disease processes. They can also provide important information to help identify individuals that are more susceptible to disease risks posed by certain environmental agents than the general population.. The report was commissioned by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.
  • The report "Toxicity Testing in the Twenty-First Century: A Vision and a Strategy" from the National Research Council outlines a new approach that would rely less heavily on animal studies and instead focus on in vitro methods that evaluate chemicals' effects on biological processes using cells, cell lines, or cellular components, preferably of human origin.
  • 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.
  • SOT Annual Meeting March 26, 1:30 PM–4:15 PM
      Animal Rights Extremism and the Responsible Use of Animals in Research: the Past, Present, and Future
      Chairpersons: Jan Oberdoerster, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, East Syracuse, NJ and Tracie Bunton, Stratoxon, LLC, Lancaster, PA
    The necessary use of animals in biomedical and toxicological research and to fulfill regulatory safety requirements must be acknowledged, with recognition of and respect for the important contribution of animals in the scientific progress. Animals must be humanely treated in accordance with applicable animal welfare laws/regulations and full consideration of the 3Rs - replacement, reduction, and refinement. The session will call attention to the distinction between animal welfare and animal rights extremism and will explore ways to think about the development of replacement alternatives. How different stakeholders (e.g., the scientific community vs. the animal rights community) look at the 3Rs will be presented. Examples of the actions of animal rights extremists and a new brand of internet-based extremism will be presented and effective and appropriate responses addressed. Measures taken by the scientific community and others in coordinating an effective response to this extremism will be discussed and several 'next steps' required to consolidate recent gains highlighted. The processes and practices presented here will help us move forward as humane scientists without sacrificing scientific quality due to illegal tactics and intimidation.
      What to do When Your Research is Under Attack, Robert Phalen, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA
      The Science of Alternatives, Alan Goldberg, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
      Face-Off Against 21st Century Extremism, Michael Caulfield, Huntingdon Life Sciences, East Millstone, NJ
      The Pharmaceutical Industry and Animal Extremism: Action, Reaction or Inaction?, Tim Morris, GlaxoSmithKline, Welwyn, UK
      Protective Measures, Michael Moll, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Grand Rapids, MI
  • Assurance of Animal Welfare in Research: Coexistence of Toxicology Studies with Humane Endpoints

    In the performance of toxicology studies, whether for purposes of product safety testing or identifying mechanisms of toxicant action, it is necessary to incorporate multiple regulatory, scientific, humane, and ethical factors into the use and care of laboratory animals. This Workshop will provide a forum for discussion of these various factors from different vantage points, particularly with respect to utilization of humane endpoints. These issues are of timely importance because of continually increasing regulatory oversight of animal care and use, and thus this forum will be of broad interest to toxicologists.

    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

  • Resources and related links

    SOT Policy and Position Statements

    Relevant policy statements from other professional societies

     

    Proceed to on-line brochure

    [Necessity of Animal Research] [Reliability of Animal Data]
    [Commitment to ResponsibleTreatment] [Advancing Valid Alternatives] [Position Statement]
    [Guiding Principles] [Further Information] [Selected References]
    [Public Policy Statement] [Download Printable Brochure]
    [Messaging Guide for Scientists Discussing Humane, Responsible Animal Research]

     


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