The Graduate School
Animal Research
As a student researcher, you may be called upon to study animals in a laboratory setting. It is important to understand your ethical responsibility as a member of the university and as a professional.
The Animal Resource Center, or ARC, is located at 2701 Speedway. It is responsible for all animal laboratory investigations and their associated husbandry and veterinary needs. The center's director is a veterinarian who specializes in the treatment and husbandry of laboratory animals. He has established a comprehensive program to insure the ethical treatment of animals involved in research.
Principal Investigators and their assistants must be familiar with the policies of the ARC as well as any standards set by professional and academic organizations.
Although each organization's guidebook may contain different specific information, there are four basic professional principals designed to protect the welfare of laboratory animals.
The first is to ensure humane treatment for all lab animals. Numerous laws have been passed to set standards for proper housing conditions, anesthesia and exercise. It is important to create an environment that does not cause unnecessary psychological stress to the animal.
Second, research models involving animals should be used only if there is no other model available. Non-animal methods should be considered.
Additionally, every effort should be made to limit the number of animal subjects.
Finally, studies should be designed to yield accurate results. Good scientific data is dependent on ethical animal care. Proper animal treatment provides controls for your investigation. Quality care includes both physical and emotional well-being.
The ethical treatment of animals is critical to effective and responsible science. The Animal Resource Center, as well as professional organizations, exist to provide guidelines for the ethical treatment of animals in research. Before beginning research studies, you are required to attend on-campus training supplemented by professional guidebooks and online materials. For more information, please read through the list of online resources provided in this training module, and visit the ARC and its web site.