f6098d8b__and_Use_of_Laboratory_Animals__Comments
[ID] 90 [Entry Date] 04/15/2011 at 11:39:47 AM [Affiliation] Self [Comments] 
Comment 1: As a scientist who has been working with mouse models for many years, I strongly oppose some of the new regulations proposed by the Guide (8th Edition). For mice, the 8th edition of the Guide requires 15 sq. in. of floor space for a mouse 25 grams and over. A female mouse with a litter of pups requires 51 sq. in. of floor space. Our ventilated mouse rack cages provide 63 sq. in. of floor space. This means: • No more than 4 (not the 5 currently allowed) adult mice per cage – this represents a 20% increase in cages needed over current standards • A female with litter would have to be housed individually, since there would only be 12 sq. in. remaining (63 sq in/cage – 51 sq in for mom with litter) – not "enough" space for a second adult mouse (which needs 15 sq in per these requirements). For a "standard" 2 female, one male breeding cage (which can currently remain together in a single cage as the females deliver pups and nurse them) this represents a >200% increase in cages needed over current standards. I believe these new regulations will no doubt increase unnecessary costs for research and generate huge negative impact on our biomedical research, particularly under the current funding atmosphere. I would also want to add some my personal note. For many years, I am confused by the fact that living expense on those mice in my lab is more than that for any person working in my lab including myself. My monthly animal bill is greater than my mortgage bill for the house where I live. And now, we are told that we did not treat mice well enough and we should offer more. As a human being, I want to stay in a luxury home and work in a luxury lab every day. However, the limiting factor is whether I can afford or not. The question is --- Can NIH afford the increasing costs while maintaining the same productivity? I think the priority for NIH right now should be helping researchers to cut down the costs while maintaining productivity, rather than further increasing their financial responsibility in 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