f6098d8b__and_Use_of_Laboratory_Animals__Comments
[ID] 100 [Entry Date] 04/15/2011 at 09:43:06 PM [Affiliation] Self [Comments] 
Comment 1: I have several comments regarding the proposed guidelines for experimentation on wild/exotic animals. In the field of animal behavior research, guidelines based the biomedical model are often at odds with goals of basic behavioral research. Most animal behavior studies pursue experiments that do not involve intervention commonly performed in biomedical studies (i.e, do not involve pain) or only sets the occasion for natural behaviorl processes, such as predator/prey interactions. Unfortunately most animal behavior research suffers from low funding support; consequently, I argue that guidelines designed for domesticated/lab animals primarily used in biomedical research programs will limit the ability of many scientists to conduct basic animal behavior studies. Using novel species and allowing animals to behave in natural ways under laboratory conditions is fundamental to scientific discovery and it should not be smothered by blanket regulations on animal care and use that increases cost and oversight. Adoption of new policy should be postpone until the impact on animal behavior's unique approach, which is often beyond the knowledge of IACUC members, is fully considered.
Listing of Public Comments on Proposed Adoption and Implementation of the Eighth Edition of the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals