f6098d8b__and_Use_of_Laboratory_Animals__Comments
[ID] 55 [Entry Date] 04/05/2011 at 05:39:11 PM [Affiliation] Self [Comments] 
Comment 1: "The use of non-pharmaceutical-grade chemicals or substances should be described and justified in the animal use protocol and be approved by the IACUC" There are many instances when nonpharmaceutical grade compounds or substances may be appropriate and allowances should be made for IACUCs to establish policies governing their use that do not require prior IACUC approval. Specific examples include when a nonpharmaceutical grade compound or substance is used for nonpharmaceutical purposes such as the use of doxycycline to regulate gene expression or the use of sterile PBS as a diluent for research reagents. If efficacy of the compound is not an issue because the compound is not being used therapeutically (eg. antibiotics, anesthetics, etc.) and if proper precautions to ensure sterility, freedom from particulates, and safety of the compounds is a prerequisite, then the use of professional judgment in creating an appropriate policy should be permitted. Blanket statements such as "They should therefore be used, when available, for all animal-related procedures" do not provide the flexibility needed in a diverse research environment. Similarly, the term "animal-related procedures" is vague and open to extreme interpretations (is a necropsy an animal-related procedure? a bath?). All "live animal-related experimental procedures" would offer some better definition. Comment 2: "Single housing of social species should be the exception and justified based on experimental requirements or veterinary-related concerns about animal well-being." It would be very beneficial to readers if the Guide could indicate to which commonly used species this applies - provide examples.
Listing of Public Comments on Proposed Adoption and Implementation of the Eighth Edition of the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals