Ilar JournalPub Date : 2019-12-31DOI: 10.1093/ilar/ilz007
Judy MacArthur Clark, Paula Clifford, Wendy Jarrett, Cynthia Pekow
{"title":"Communicating About Animal Research with the Public.","authors":"Judy MacArthur Clark, Paula Clifford, Wendy Jarrett, Cynthia Pekow","doi":"10.1093/ilar/ilz007","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/ilar/ilz007","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Animals play a key role in biomedical research and other areas of scientific inquiry. But public opinion plays a key role in influencing how this area of science is regulated and funded. Nevertheless, scientists have historically been reticent to speak openly about their animal research or to open their animal facilities to the public in any way. Consequently, most of the available information has come from those opposed to animal research. This imbalance has led to suspicion and lagging public support for this work. To reverse this effect, efforts are now being made in many parts of the world to increase openness and transparency in this sector. The authors firmly believe that encouraging more institutions to join this movement, focused on better and greater communication, is essential to preserve the research community's \"permission\" to perform justifiable studies involving animals. For the purposes of this article, we consider \"the public\" to include that cross-section of society who may be asked their views in opinion poll studies and who may vote in elections. It also includes other influential groups such as the media, scientists working in other disciplines, animal welfare groups, and politicians who may shape regulatory frameworks. Public opinion on this issue matters. The majority of funding for biomedical research comes, either directly or indirectly, from the public purse. In the case of pharmaceutical research, funding derives from selling medicines to consumers. We therefore all have a vested interest in this funding. Furthermore, legislation that covers the use of animals in research is permissive-it allows scientists to do things that might otherwise contravene animal welfare laws. But this permission is normally contingent on complying with strict protective measures designed to ensure the work stays within the ethical framework that public opinion has deemed appropriate. Open and transparent communication is the best way to promote public understanding. There is thus a responsibility on all those involved in animal research, whether scientists, animal care staff, physicians, veterinarians, members of ethics committees, or managers and leaders, to support and promote public awareness and trust in this work. Circumstantial evidence shows that, with such open dialogue, there is decreased targeting and harassment of individuals and job pride and satisfaction for all involved is improved.</p>","PeriodicalId":56299,"journal":{"name":"Ilar Journal","volume":"60 1","pages":"34-42"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2019-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1093/ilar/ilz007","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"37243994","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ilar JournalPub Date : 2019-12-31DOI: 10.1093/ilar/ilz002
F Claire Hankenson, Troy Hallman
{"title":"Investigator Engagement: Somewhat Radical Considerations on Practices to Improve Animal Care Program Compliance.","authors":"F Claire Hankenson, Troy Hallman","doi":"10.1093/ilar/ilz002","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/ilar/ilz002","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The authors discuss approaches to bolster investigator engagement, inviting investigators to be partners within the Animal Care Program. Regulatory burden in animal research endeavors continues to be reviewed and critiqued; therefore, this article intends to encourage Animal Care Programs to promote transparency and incorporation of unique educational training initiatives to tailor and focus compliance efforts across research programs. Borrowing from concepts of patient engagement, adherence, and enrollment efforts within the medical profession, it is likely that gains in trust, understanding, and communication between stakeholders within animal programs can be achieved without excessive efforts to alter existing approaches. Institutions will continue to be challenged to balance animal welfare expectations with promotion of research missions. This article provides a framework for somewhat radical ideas, including the use of collaborative orientations, assistance with self-evaluations, timely self-reporting, and meaningful and directed trainings, that are all aimed to resonate in contemporary animal care programs and foster investigator engagement in ongoing compliance efforts.</p>","PeriodicalId":56299,"journal":{"name":"Ilar Journal","volume":"60 1","pages":"58-65"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2019-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1093/ilar/ilz002","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"37387189","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ilar JournalPub Date : 2019-12-31DOI: 10.1093/ilar/ily024
Kathryn Bayne, Patricia V Turner
{"title":"Animal Welfare Standards and International Collaborations.","authors":"Kathryn Bayne, Patricia V Turner","doi":"10.1093/ilar/ily024","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/ilar/ily024","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Globalization of the biomedical research enterprise is occurring at an accelerating pace. Increasingly, scientific collaborations and contracts cross national borders. Assurance that the caliber of animal research and animal welfare are consistent among countries and that such animal use is done in a humane and conscientious manner is of significant concern to the scientific community, the general public, and other stakeholders. Bridging these international collaborations is a clear scientific imperative for statistical validity of the data and reproducibility of results to ensure the animal use is both meaningful and impactful. One way to mitigate the potential confounding effects that the welfare of the animals may have on the research data is to harmonize animal care and use practices and procedures worldwide. By harmonizing the care and use of animals, using high standards that are internationally accepted, research animal welfare and high-quality science will be achieved.</p>","PeriodicalId":56299,"journal":{"name":"Ilar Journal","volume":"60 1","pages":"86-94"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2019-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1093/ilar/ily024","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"36847686","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ilar JournalPub Date : 2019-12-31DOI: 10.1093/ilar/ilz010
S. Mohan, P. Foley
{"title":"Everything You Need to Know About Satisfying IACUC Protocol Requirements.","authors":"S. Mohan, P. Foley","doi":"10.1093/ilar/ilz010","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/ilar/ilz010","url":null,"abstract":"There have been recent efforts to reduce the administrative burden imposed on investigators. Although a complete and thorough review of proposed animal studies is an essential function of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), efforts to streamline and clarify this process may help investigators spend less time writing animal use protocols and responding to committee comments. The IACUC relies on well-written protocols for an efficient review process. A well-designed protocol form is also critical in guiding investigators through the process. However, it is ultimately the investigators' responsibility to ensure that the information they provide answers all the IACUC's questions with enough detail and quality for a fast and effective review. This article, aimed primarily for researchers but also IACUC administrators, provides an overview of the IACUC protocol review and approval process, the criteria that the IACUC uses for evaluations, and the type of information that should be included in the various sections of the protocol form. Some specific examples are also provided.","PeriodicalId":56299,"journal":{"name":"Ilar Journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2019-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1093/ilar/ilz010","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49147402","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ilar JournalPub Date : 2019-12-31DOI: 10.1093/ilar/ilz015
Malcolm Macleod, Swapna Mohan
{"title":"Reproducibility and Rigor in Animal-Based Research.","authors":"Malcolm Macleod, Swapna Mohan","doi":"10.1093/ilar/ilz015","DOIUrl":"10.1093/ilar/ilz015","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Increasing focus on issues of research reproducibility affords us the opportunity to review some of the key issues related in vivo research. First, we set out some key definitions, to guide the reader through the rest of the paper. Next we consider issues of epistemology, of how animal experiments lead to changes in our understanding of biomedicine and, potentially, to the development of new therapeutics. Here we consider the meaning of statistical significance; the importance of understanding whether findings have general truth; and the advances in knowledge which can result from 'failed' replication. Then, we consider weaknesses in the design, conduct and reporting of experiments, and review evidence for this from systematic reviews and from experimental studies addressing these issues. We consider the impact that these weaknesses have on the development of new treatments for human disease, and reflect on the response to these issues from the biomedical research community. Finally, we consider strategies for improvement including increased use of brief, pre-registered study protocols; pre-registration, open publication and open data; and the central importance of education in improving research performance.</p>","PeriodicalId":56299,"journal":{"name":"Ilar Journal","volume":"60 1","pages":"17-23"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2019-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7275809/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48866152","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ilar JournalPub Date : 2019-12-31DOI: 10.1093/ilar/ilz006
Rebecca J Cox, Pauline Nol, Christine K Ellis, Mitchell V Palmer
{"title":"Research with Agricultural Animals and Wildlife.","authors":"Rebecca J Cox, Pauline Nol, Christine K Ellis, Mitchell V Palmer","doi":"10.1093/ilar/ilz006","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/ilar/ilz006","url":null,"abstract":"In fiscal year 2016, agricultural animals such as swine, sheep, goats, and cattle represented 10% of the 820 812 animals used in USDA-regulated research. In addition to traditional agricultural animals, research studies using captive wildlife are becoming increasingly important as human and livestock populations encroach upon, and thus expand interactions with, wildlife populations on the landscape. Optimum healthcare of both livestock and captive wildlife in a research setting requires proper husbandry, management, and veterinary care. Regardless of animal species, proper care and management are essential for animal well-being, valid research data, and the health and safety of animal care personnel. Using wildlife in research presents unique challenges as there is generally limited peer-reviewed research on wildlife welfare, husbandry, and nutrition. Animals often become excited during handling or transport, and care must be taken to avoid injury. When severe injuries do occur, differences may exist in methods of euthanasia. Many wildlife species are evolutionarily programmed to conceal signs of illness, making assessment of their condition difficult; moreover, attending veterinarians are often not as experienced in the care of wildlife as they are in the care of traditional laboratory animals or livestock. These differences are further magnified in the context of wildlife field research. The concepts of replace, reduce, and refine are as valid in livestock and wildlife research as in biomedical research, and investigators should work closely with their Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees to ensure humane animal care. The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee is centrally important in providing guidelines relative to ethical use of animal subjects for research and can serve as a valuable resource for research accountability.","PeriodicalId":56299,"journal":{"name":"Ilar Journal","volume":"60 1","pages":"66-73"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2019-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1093/ilar/ilz006","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"37248565","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ilar JournalPub Date : 2019-12-31DOI: 10.1093/ilar/ilz022
Lane Warmbrod, Marc Trotochaud, Nancy Connell
{"title":"The Scientist Citizen and the Citizen Scientist: Blurring the Lines.","authors":"Lane Warmbrod, Marc Trotochaud, Nancy Connell","doi":"10.1093/ilar/ilz022","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/ilar/ilz022","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The scientific enterprise satisfies the innate human urge to understand the world; these efforts have led to both improvements and dangers to society. The storied history of relationships between scientists and citizens suggests that the lines between these 2 sectors of society are often blurred. Here we discuss these relationships on the context of animal welfare. We briefly outline the history of animal welfare in research, and the entry of citizens into the discussion, leading to the Animal Welfare Act of 1966. The commitment of scientists to society, in this context, is the act of whistleblowing in research. As medical and life sciences technologies continue to expand at breathtaking rates, the landscape that both scientists and citizens must navigate increases in complexity. We discuss the responsibility of both the scientist and the citizen, as members of the voting public, in the face of the challenges of the future.</p>","PeriodicalId":56299,"journal":{"name":"Ilar Journal","volume":"60 1","pages":"5-8"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2019-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1093/ilar/ilz022","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"37500308","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ilar JournalPub Date : 2019-12-31DOI: 10.1093/ilar/ilz020
Patricia V Turner, R Wayne Barbee
{"title":"Responsible Science and Research Animal Use.","authors":"Patricia V Turner, R Wayne Barbee","doi":"10.1093/ilar/ilz020","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/ilar/ilz020","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This issue of the ILAR Journal focuses on the topic of responsible science as it relates to animal research. We start with the concept of the scientist as a responsible citizen and then move through multiple phases of research including careful experimental planning, reporting, and incorporation of laboratory animal science. The work of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) or animal ethical/oversight body in reviewing both animal use and contributing to scientific excellence is explored. Additional topics include protection of animal handlers from multiple experimental hazards, use of agricultural animals and wildlife studies, regulatory ambiguities, and harmonization of animal research. Rounding out the issue is a discussion of how animal care and use programs can enhance animal welfare while mitigating regulatory burden, and our responsibility to clearly communicate the ethical use of animals in advancing biomedical research. A deeper understanding of these topics can assist scientists in simultaneously advancing their research and animal welfare.</p>","PeriodicalId":56299,"journal":{"name":"Ilar Journal","volume":"60 1","pages":"1-4"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2019-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1093/ilar/ilz020","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"37535327","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ilar JournalPub Date : 2019-12-31DOI: 10.1093/ilar/ily023
Nicolette Petervary, Jennifer K Pullium
{"title":"Disaster Planning and Research Continuity in Responsible Animal Research.","authors":"Nicolette Petervary, Jennifer K Pullium","doi":"10.1093/ilar/ily023","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/ilar/ily023","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Disaster preparedness for research facilities can be a daunting task. The purpose of this review is to introduce basic preparedness concepts and terminology so that facilities may begin to develop customized plans for their specific needs. Regulatory requirements are reviewed and an overview of the Incident Command System, National Preparedness System Planning Frameworks, and fundamental terms is provided. Important concepts for successful planning are then explored. Good planning involves fostering a culture of preparedness, resilience, and understanding the interactions and partnerships with other groups that are essential for core functions and incident response. Methods to gain institutional support and set up an advisory committee are examined in detail. Next, the steps to develop and carry out a plan are outlined. Risk assessments using an all hazards approach and tools such as risk indices and risk matrices are explained, and tips to design and test plans, train personnel, and evaluate improvement are discussed. Finally, special challenges unique to animal research facilities are considered along with ways to address them. Examples and information are drawn from a wide variety of organizations both to underscore themes common to all preparedness plans and to introduce new concepts that may be adapted for use in research institutions.</p>","PeriodicalId":56299,"journal":{"name":"Ilar Journal","volume":"60 1","pages":"74-85"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2019-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1093/ilar/ily023","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"37198328","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ilar JournalPub Date : 2019-12-31DOI: 10.1093/ilar/ilz012
Jessica McCormick-Ell, N. Connell
{"title":"Laboratory Safety, Biosecurity, and Responsible Animal Use.","authors":"Jessica McCormick-Ell, N. Connell","doi":"10.1093/ilar/ilz012","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/ilar/ilz012","url":null,"abstract":"Research with animals presents a wide array of hazards, some of which overlap those in the in vitro research laboratory. The challenge for environmental health and safety professionals when making their recommendations and performing the risk assessment is to balance worker safety with animal safety/welfare. The care and husbandry of animals require procedures and tasks that create aerosols and involve metabolized chemicals and a variety of physical hazards that must be assessed in addition to the research related risks, all while balancing the biosecurity of the facility and NIH animal care requirements. Detailed communication between health and safety, research, and animal care teams is essential to understand how to mitigate the risks that are present and if modifications need to be made as the experiments and processes progress and change over time. Additionally, the backgrounds and education levels of the persons involved in animal research and husbandry can be quite broad; the training programs created need to reflect this. Active learning and hands-on training are extremely beneficial for all staff involved in this field. Certain areas of research, such as infectious disease research in high- and maximum-containment (biosafety level 3 and 4) facilities, present challenges that are not seen in lower containment or chemical exposure experiments. This paper reviews potential hazards and mitigation strategies and discusses unique challenges for safety at all biosafety levels.","PeriodicalId":56299,"journal":{"name":"Ilar Journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2019-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1093/ilar/ilz012","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45983160","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}