f6098d8b__and_Use_of_Laboratory_Animals__Comments
[ID] 414 [Entry Date] 04/22/2011 at 11:45:59 AM [Affiliation] Self [Organization City and State] Springfield, MA [Comments] 
Comment 1: I oppose additional restrictions on cage size and liquid or food deprivation of laboratory animals. The costs incurred from compliance with these changes will severely impair the ability of researchers to continue their critical work in the areas of behavioral pharmacology, neuroscience, and basic behavioral processes. As an applied researcher, I am certain that a decrease in non-human research will also eventually affect the quality and pace of research conducted by me and my colleagues. The trickle-down implications of these cost-prohibitive regulations cannot be understated. Comment 2: I think that semiannual review of revised guidelines would be reasonable. However, if the full Guide is ultimately accepted, I would support a deadline for compliance no earlier than 2015 to avoid disrupting or derailing critical research.
Listing of Public Comments on Proposed Adoption and Implementation of the Eighth Edition of the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals