The Animal Welfare Act and the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals require appropriate identification of animals and maintenance of animal records.
Occupational Health & Safety
Occupational Health & Safety References
The Chancellor’s Animal Research Committee (ARC)
Members of the ARC and the ARC Chairperson are appointed by the Vice Chancellor for Research whom the ARC advises on matters of policy on the use of laboratory animals for research and teaching. The ARC, through the experience and expertise of its members, oversees UCLA’s animal program, facilities and procedures.
Authority and Responsibility
Information on Authority and Responsibility
Alternatives to the Use of Animals in Research
Resources on Alternatives to the Use of Animals in Research
Legislative Mandate for the Development of Alternatives to Animal Use
Congress has been urged to provide funds specifically to develop alternatives to animal use in research, testing and education.
Mathematical and Computer Models
Whenever a function or a relationship within a living system can be described mathematically, the possibility exists for developing a mathematical model.
Chemical, Physical, and Mechanical Models
In some instances it is possible to use physical or chemical models to study living systems.
Modifications of Existing Animal Use
It is sometimes possible to substitute one species of animal for another. For example, lower vertebrates or invertebrates may be substituted for higher vertebrates, or so-called “laboratory species” (such as mice or rats) may be substituted for “companion animals” such as dogs or cats. Such substitutions are usually advocated on the grounds that species differ in their capacity to suffer pain or distress and it is assumed that invertebrates or lower vertebrates will suffer less than higher vertebrates, and laboratory species less than companion species.
Use of Animal Derived Material
Although critics of animal research see alternatives as a way to eliminate animal use in research, many suggested “replacements” consist of animal derived material. Examples of use of animal derived material include cell, tissue and organ cultures. Working with culture specimens avoids potentially painful manipulations of live animals, although these materials must originate in a living animal. Use of such models may reduce the number of animals needed for research, as when several researchers needing small tissue samples or different organs are able to share a single animal.