f6098d8b__and_Use_of_Laboratory_Animals__Comments
[ID] 382 [Entry Date] 04/21/2011 at 05:29:38 PM [Affiliation] Self [Organization Name] UNCW [Organization City and State] Wilimington, NC [Comments] 
Comment 1: I think that the strict "guidelines" for how an institution and a researcher must alter their current practices for animal care and use is excessively restrictive. I think many of the demands placed on Institutions will require excessive oversight and paperwork, and in turn, excessive costs to maintain quality research. Additionally, I am unclear why new guidelines are required. Is there empirical evidence that current standards are resulting in undue stress or pain in animals. Are unjustified experiments taking place at alarming rates? I am a current member of IACUC, and the participation of scientists at the University in cooperation with local vets and members of the public seems to result in high standards of animal care at our university. The goal of every scientist conducting research is to have a healthy, well cared for animals. It is in our own best interest to care for our animals, and I have not witnessed any threats to animal welfare in any labs I've ever visited; at our university or any other. With the already high standards of care, I reiterate my confusion as to why we need these stricter "guidelines" (which honestly read more like mandates). I think that the unnecessary cost of implementing these unsubstantiated standards would prohibit much of my research, and I suspect many other scientists would feel the same way. Many facilities currently conducting ethical and justified research would not meet many of the standards set in the new guide, and I for one do not support shutting down good research to meet unsupported changes. I am a member of APA, and I support their official response to this request for public comment. I would not recommend adopting the guide in its current state.
Listing of Public Comments on Proposed Adoption and Implementation of the Eighth Edition of the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals