Good Research Practice: Lessons from Animal Care and Use

Area of Science:

• Laboratory animal science
• Research ethics
• Animal welfare

Background:

• Animal care and use are integral to the research process.
• Ethical concerns have led to legal frameworks and professional recommendations governing animal research.
• Factors beyond legal mandates significantly influence research results.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize ethical principles guiding animal care and use legislation and recommendations.
• To describe the impact of animal care and use on research outcomes.
• To outline systems for overseeing animal care and use programs.

Main Methods:

• Review of ethical principles, legislation, and international recommendations.
• Analysis of scientific evidence on the impact of animal care and use on research.
• Description of internal and external oversight systems for animal research programs.

Main Results:

• Ethical considerations drive legal and professional standards in animal research.
• Specific aspects of animal care and use directly affect research reproducibility, validity, and translatability.
• Oversight programs are essential for identifying, controlling, and improving animal research practices.

Conclusions:

• Adherence to ethical principles and robust oversight are vital for responsible animal research.
• Improving animal care and use practices enhances the reliability and applicability of research findings.
• Continuous review and improvement of animal research programs are necessary for scientific integrity.