The American Physiological Society has posted two new position statements on animals in research. These policies were approved at the July 2010 meeting of the APS Council.
Animal Research is Essential to the Search for Cures is a broad statement of support for the important role that animal models continue to play in human and veterinary medical research. It underscores the strong commitment of the APS to ensuring that research animals are treated humanely and that their use is regulated appropriately.
The Guiding Principles for the Care and Use of Vertebrate Animals in Research and Training are an updated version of a document first adopted by the APS Council in 1953. The Guiding Principles represent a code of ethics for APS members who work with animals. They provide a framework intended to promote the humane treatment of animals and are also used to evaluate research submitted for publication in APS journals. The update is intended to clarify certain elements of the Guiding Principles and make them easier to apply in practical situations. In addition, because the Guiding Principles are based upon U.S. animal welfare requirements, the update adds provisions to address the fact that other countries have different animal welfare requirements. This change was needed because of the increasing number of physiologists from around the world who are joining the APS and submitting articles for publication in APS journals.