Scientific knowledge and improvements in health are advanced in part by research involving animals. In conducting this research, scientists must ensure research animals are judiciously used for research that contributes to the health and well-being of humans and/or animals, and they must also ensure research animals receive humane care and treatment.

Principles and practices that promote high standards of care of research animals include:

• providing species appropriate living conditions that promote health/comfort
• avoiding/minimizing animals’ discomfort, distress and pain
• using the minimum number of animals required for valid results
• avoiding unnecessary duplication of existing research
• using to the extent possible alternatives to animal models (e.g. simulations, in vitro models)
• ensuring personnel handling animals are appropriately trained and qualified.

UTHSCH supports research involving animals but expects that it will be conducted responsibly and in compliance with the Animal Welfare Act, PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, and other applicable rules/regulations.

The Center for Laboratory Animal Medicine and Care oversees all activities involving research animals, and the Animal Welfare Committee must review and approve all research, research training, experimentation, and biological testing activities that involve live, vertebrate animals.

To initiate the review process, investigators must submit an Animal Protocol Review Form that includes: explanations of animal manipulations required in the research project; rationales for using animals, the proposed species, and the number of animals; and an assurance the research does not unnecessarily duplicate previous research.

UTHSCH requires that all personnel handling animals complete training offered by the institution that pertains to animals used in their research activities.