Category Archive

To protect animals and humans, the use of hazardous biological, chemical or physical agents must be approved by the appropriate safety committee. Animals exposed to hazardous agents must be clearly identified and animal wastes and carcasses must be disposed of according to procedures established by the campus Office of Environment Health and Safety (EH&S).

As is the case with pain, physiological parameters and behavioral responses provide important cues to distress in animals, although

distress is more difficult to define and identify than pain. Physiological parameters include hormonal responses (e.g., changes in the levels of adrenal hormones), increased susceptibility to disease (which may indicate an impaired immune system) or weight changes. Any unusual behavior in an animal which shows physiological signs of stress may be such a cue.

Some opponents of the use of animals in research have suggested that captivity alone causes suffering for animals. They argue that distress is indicated whenever an animal shows behavior that deviates from the behavior exhibited by wild conspecifics. This concept of suffering is based on unfounded assumptions about the relationship between behavior of wild and captive animals.

Early views on the capacity of animals to experience pain and other sensations were often predicated more on philosophical positions than on scientific observation. Followers of the mind-body dualism of Descartes denied the existence of mental states in non-human organisms. The Romantic tradition of the l9th century attributed elaborate anthropomorphic thoughts, feelings and intentions to animals. Behaviorists of the early 20th century side stepped the issue: because psychological states were private, they could not be characterized objectively, even in humans. Recent evidence regarding subjective experience in animals comes from neurophysiological and ethological (behavioral) studies.

Questions concerning the ethics of animal use in research and teaching have been debated by scientists, theologians, philosophers and the lay public since the use of animals for these purposes began. Even when consideration is restricted to recent discussions of the issue, there are almost as many ethical positions as there are writers on the subject. The prevailing view is that animals can and should be used in research which benefits humans and the ecosystems provided there is no acceptable alternative to such use.

The Public Health Service (PHS) Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals requires each Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee to review all projects using live vertebrate animals. The NIH Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) has interpreted the term “live vertebrate animal” to apply to egg-laying species only after hatching

Policy on Assigning Correction Deadlines

Transport of animals from UCLA to other institutions, whether domestic or foreign, requires careful planning in order to ensure the safety and security of animals and operators during transit, as well as to fulfill applicable state, federal, and international regulations governing the shipment of animals.

Retired policy: Xenopus spp. Husbandry

Because dedicated surgical facilities provide advantages with regard to veterinary oversight and minimizing post-operative infections and other complications, the ARC requires the use of a dedicated surgical facility, such as CHS 5V-128.