f6098d8b__and_Use_of_Laboratory_Animals__Comments
[ID] 306 [Entry Date] 04/20/2011 at 06:19:27 PM [Affiliation] Self [Comments] 
Comment 1: I would strongly suggest that NIH does not accept the Proposed Adoption and Implementation of the Eighth Edition of the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (Guide) that appeared in the Federal Register on February 24, 2011 (76 Federal Register 10379 – 80). This guide has several flaws including guidelines which would appear to become rules. I am particularly focusing on the new guidelines for rodent housing which have been developed by "judgment and experience" (direct quote from the document) rather than scientific research. To subject researchers across the country to regulations developed by feel and individual use and not directly from controlled studies (or reflective of my individual use) is clearly not correct and certainly beneath the scientific underpinning of NIH. Time must be given for the discussion of the new guidelines (and adequate space for online submission) to be fully vetted by parties that will be subject to these guidelines and the possibility that needed modification can occur before simply adopting the document. Thank you for listening and considering these comments from just a regular researcher out in a lab whose research and budget will be severely impacted by the adoption of these guidelines.
Listing of Public Comments on Proposed Adoption and Implementation of the Eighth Edition of the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals