Medical research involving animals is beneficial to both humans and other animals. Certain kinds of questions can only be answered through animal studies. This section provides background and analysis of both animal research in general and specific animal research issues.
The Federal Accountability in Chemical Testing Act aims to encourage non-animal methods of testing and research; however, the purposed mechanism will not effectively result in improved animal welfare but will create an added burden to researchers.
On January 12, 2017, the Max Planck Society (MPS) in Germany published a white paper on the use of animals in basic research. MPS is a non-profit research organization made up of 83 Max Planck Institutes and facilities.
The Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) has created an online tool to help researchers find suppliers of organisms ranging from algae to mice, fruit flies, and maize.
Published in
Advances in Physiology Education, this article provides historical perspective review on animal teaching laboratories in medical education, including an evaluation of the methodologies and conclusions of several studies sometimes cited by those who oppose of live animal labs.
Many prominent educators in the field of physiology recognize the value of animal laboratories, praising the value of these exercises for “direct experience, insight, and learning” and their “enormous educational merit and benefit.”
Check out
animalresearchcures.org for our updated FAQ on animal research, the free PDF, and other helpful resources.
APS’s
Resource Book for the Design of Animal Exercise Protocols offers suggestions for how to design, review, and implement experimental paradigms
involving animals and exercise.
Animal research is subject to a number of layers of regulation and oversight.
Information on animal research oversight and regulation.
The American Physiological Society condemns all acts of violence or intimidation against individuals engaged in legitimate scientific inquiries intended to advance knowledge and improve health.
Statements from societies, universities, federal agencies, and others condemning attacks and harassment targeted at researchers.
Advice from NIH on how to mitigate the threat of animal rights extremists.
Highlights from the APS Animal Care and Experimentation Committee EB2012 symposium on Public Outreach.