Animal Subjects

The Ethical Care and Use of Vertebrate Animals in Research and Instruction

Introduction

In this module, you will explore the following aspects of using vertebrate animals in research, teaching, and testing:

  1. Different philosophies of animal use
  2. The current regulatory framework and its historical context
  3. The functions of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and the Animal Resources Office (ARO) at the University of New Hampshire (UNH)
  4. The responsibilities of principal investigators/instructors (PIs), students, and others who work with vertebrate animals in research and teaching
  5. Where and how vertebrate animals are used: sites, safety, and communication

Introduction (cont.)

This module consists of:

Introduction (cont.)

After completing this module, you will be able to:

Case Study

Click on the image below to read the case study.

Philosophies & Ethical Principles

Use of animals by humans is sometimes controversial. Some key ideas related to animal use include:

Controversy about the use of animals in research, teaching, and testing usually focuses on two distinct concepts:

Philosophies (cont.)

Many attribute the birth of the modern animal rights movement to the 1975 publication of philosopher Peter Singer’s book, Animal Liberation, which focuses on an animal’s capacity to suffer physical pain, loneliness, and fear. Animal rights advocates believe that animals have intrinsic rights that should protect them against use by humans. These include:

Singer contends that animals may only be used in research and testing if the experiment would also be permitted on humans.

As a lot of animal research is conducted as a precursor to studies in human subjects, Singer’s perspective precludes virtually all animal research and testing.

Philosophies (cont.)

The animal rights movement actively lobbies against the use of animals for:

Some animal rights proponents and organizations believe that illegal and even violent actions are justified by the need to prevent use of, or harm to, animals.

Philosophies (cont.)

Animal welfare is an older concept. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, founded in 1866, was the first such organization in North America. Its central principle is that “animals are entitled to kind and respectful treatment at the hands of humans, and must be protected under the law”.

Animal welfare proponents support many uses of animals, while seeking to protect them from harm. They advocate:

Philosophies (cont.)

Animal welfare groups generally oppose:

They generally support:

Philosophies (cont.)

Animal welfare proponents acknowledge that using animals as experimental subjects supports important advances in science and medicine. They seek to:

Ethical Principles

In the U.S., the conservation, use, care, and welfare of research animals is overseen by the federal Interagency Research Animal Committee (IRAC). This group developed the U.S Government Principles for the Utilization and Care of Vertebrate Animals Used in Testing, Research, and Training (U.S. Government Principles). These nine principles govern animal research and serve as the cornerstone of current regulation.

Regulations and Guidelines

Beginning in 1966, several well-publicized cases of animal abuse brought the humane care and use of animals to public attention. These cases, along with efforts by animal rights and welfare groups, helped shape the current regulatory framework, which is based on animal welfare principles.

In 1966, Life magazine exposed the abuse of dogs at the hands of animal dealers, prompting public outrage.

In 1981, authorities seized Rhesus monkeys from a private research institute in Silver Spring, MD and charged the director with cruelty to animals.

Televised portions of experiments involving baboons at the Head Trauma Laboratory at the University of Pennsylvania in 1984 revealed the suffering of inadequately anaesthetized animals, compounded by a cavalier attitude by research personnel toward the animals’ suffering.

Regulations (cont.)

Public outrage over the Life exposé prompted Congress to pass the Laboratory Animal Welfare Act (Public Law 89-544) in 1966. The Act has been amended multiple since then.

Commonly known as the Animal Welfare Act (AWA), this legislation currently governs the humane handling, care, treatment, and transportation of vertebrate animals.

The AWA covers warm-blooded vertebrate species excluding purpose-bred rats, mice, and birds. It requires the registration of research institutions using these animals and the licensing of animal dealers, zoos, and exhibitors with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Enforcement of the AWA is accomplished through several means, including unannounced inspections by USDA staff. Violations can bring severe penalties.

Regulations (cont.)

Further legislation, the Health Research Extension Act of 1985 (Public Law 99-158), governs all institutions operated by the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) and any non-governmental institution receiving funds from the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) for research involving vertebrate animals.

The Health Research Extension Act mandates that institutions abide by the USPHS Policy on the Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (USPHS Policy), and sign an Assurance committing them to operate according to the principles articulated in the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (the Guide).

The USPHS Policy covers all vertebrate animals. Its enforcement relies on self-assessment and annual reporting. Many other federal agencies and some non-governmental organizations also impose these requirements as a condition of receiving funds for research involving vertebrate animals.

The Guide defines procedures for research involving vertebrate animals, personnel training, animal facility and housing, and physical and social environments for particular species.

Regulations (cont.)

Both the AWA and the USPHS Policy mandate the establishment of and specific rules for an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). The IACUC is an internal committee that oversees the animal care and use program within each institution that carries out research, testing, or teaching involving vertebrate animals.

Institutions commit to comply with AWA, USPHS policy, the Guide, and, the U.S Government Principles through an Assurance. The Assurance is a legal contract that defines the role and responsibilities of the institution, its IACUC, and the principal investigator/instructor.

UNH’s IACUC & ARO

At UNH, the IACUC oversees the institution’s program for the humane care and use of vertebrate animals, including inspection of vertebrate animal facilities.

The IACUC has the authority to:

UNH’s IACUC (cont.)

At UNH, the IACUC has five functions:

UNH’s IACUC (cont.)

The UNH IACUC is a standing faculty committee constituted according to federal regulations. USPHS Policy requires at least five qualified IACUC members, including at least:

Membership of the UNH IACUC exceeds these minimum requirements, and includes a broad spectrum of expertise reflecting the range of vertebrate animal use in research and teaching at UNH.

UNH’s IACUC (cont.)

At UNH, all research, testing, or teaching involving vertebrate animals requires:

Advance review and approval by the IACUC is required for all work involving vertebrate animals:

UNH’s IACUC (cont.)

Use of vertebrate animals in research, testing, or teaching without IACUC approval is a violation of UNH policy.

Appropriate sanctions are administered by the Institutional Official (Associate Vice President and Chief Research Administration Official). For example, funding and/or course credit may be withheld, or thesis work will not be accepted by the UNH Graduate School.

UNH’s IACUC (cont.)

At UNH, all applications for use of vertebrate animals in research are reviewed by the IACUC at a convened meeting. The IACUC reviews most instructional protocols via a Designated Member Review process.

Only UNH faculty (including emeriti) and staff members (including postdoctoral researchers) with appropriate authority and access to facilities and resources may serve as a principal investigator/instructor (PI) for applications submitted to the IACUC.

IACUC approval for student projects must be requested by and granted to a UNH faculty/staff member who accepts and retains responsibility for compliance with applicable regulations as the PI.

UNH’s IACUC (cont.)

There are two different UNH IACUC application forms:

PIs must ensure that they use the correct form for the intended vertebrate animal use.

PIs are invited to present their applications at IACUC meetings.

UNH’s IACUC (cont.)

The IACUC meets monthly. PIs must submit completed applications (with signatures) for IACUC review to Research Integrity Services (RIS) at least two weeks prior to the date of the next scheduled meeting. RIS provides administrative support to the IACUC and assists PIs with IACUC applications.

PIs must receive written, unconditional IACUC approval before starting their work with vertebrate animals; that is, they must satisfy any contingencies stipulated by the IACUC resulting from the review of the application.

UNH’s IACUC (cont.)

To receive IACUC approval at UNH, projects must meet seven requirements:

  1. Procedures must avoid or minimize discomfort, distress, and pain to the animals, consistent with sound research design
  2. Procedures that may cause more than momentary or slight pain must be performed with appropriate sedation, analgesia, or anesthetic, unless justified (in writing) for scientific reasons
  3. Animals that would otherwise experience severe or chronic pain or distress that cannot be relieved must be euthanized painlessly at the end of, or, if appropriate, during, the procedure

UNH’s IACUC (cont.)

To receive IACUC approval at UNH, projects must meet seven requirements:

  1. Living conditions must be species-appropriate, contribute to the health and comfort of the animals, and be overseen by a veterinarian or other trained scientist
  2. Necessary medical care must be provided by a qualified veterinarian
  3. Personnel conducting procedures must be appropriately qualified and trained in those procedures
  4. Methods of euthanasia used must be consistent with the recommendations of the latest edition of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals, unless a deviation is justified in writing for scientific reasons

UNH’s IACUC (cont.)

In addition, PIs must submit the following for review:

  1. Documented consideration of alternatives to painful procedures
  2. Written description of the methods used to evaluate alternatives
  3. Written assurance that the project does not unnecessarily duplicate previous experiments
  4. Acknowledgment of any deviations from AWA standards or regulations
  5. Enumeration of species and approximate number of animals to be used
  6. Rationale for animal use, species, and number of animals to be used, and
  7. Complete description of proposed animal use

UNH’s IACUC (cont.)

PIs who meet these requirements will have addressed the three Rs:

Replacement: Justification for why non-animal models or invertebrate species cannot replace the use of vertebrate animals

Reduction: Use of minimum number of animals necessary to answer the research question or demonstrate the activity

Refinement: Reduction of incidence or severity of pain and distress experienced by the animals through appropriate anesthetics and analgesics

UNH’s IACUC (cont.)

At UNH, ongoing IACUC approval carries the following five conditions:

  1. Current IACUC approval must be maintained throughout the life of the project
  2. PIs must submit annual reports to the IACUC at the end of the first and the second year of the project to determine whether approval will be extended for another year
  3. At the end of the third year of the project, the PI must either formally close the project or submit a new application for IACUC review (per USPHS Policy)
  4. PIs must submit any study modifications to the IACUC for review prior to implementation, including use of animals in excess of the approved number. Modifications must not be initiated until they have been approved by the IACUC in writing and without contingencies.
  5. All project personnel must complete the Medical History & Risk Assessment Questionnaire for Persons Handling or Working with Live Vertebrate Animals prior to handling vertebrate animals

UNH’s Animal Resources Office (ARO)

The Animal Resources Office (ARO) at UNH provides assistance to UNH PIs in every phase of animal activity. The ARO promotes a cooperative and open relationship among researchers, administration, and regulatory bodies and provides the following services:

ARO staff conduct individual or group training for new personnel upon request, including training in specific procedures, animal handling techniques, surgery, anesthesia, or experimental manipulations.

The ARO is also responsible for developing, producing, updating, and distributing the Manual for the Care and Use of Vertebrate Animals at UNH to all PIs, and appropriate vertebrate animal care and use staff.

UNH’s ARO (cont.)

Any UNH faculty, staff, or student, or member of the public who has a concern about the treatment of vertebrate animals at UNH should contact the ARO.

After reviewing the concern, ARO staff will report to the IACUC. The IACUC is responsible for reviewing, and if warranted, investigating concerns involving the care and use of vertebrate animals at UNH.

Sites

Wherever it occurs, UNH research and teaching activities involving vertebrate animals must be carried out in accordance with the principles and regulations governing humane use of animals. UNH policies and requirements apply to vertebrate animal use:

Sites (cont.)

At UNH, the IACUC is required to inspect and approve all facilities temporarily or permanently housing vertebrate animals before animals are brought to the site. Accordingly, individuals should be cognizant of applicable regulations/guidelines when

Off-campus facilities or sites where animal use is planned may require inspection and approval; it is essential to inform the ARO and IACUC and receive any necessary approval before animals are brought to a site or a project begins.

Sites (cont.)

Work involving vertebrate animals at off-campus sites, whether at a farm, a nature reserve, or on private property, raises additional issues:

Sites (cont.)

The program and principles of vertebrate animal care and use apply to marine animals as well as terrestrial species.

Sites (cont.)

The safety of both animals and humans is important no matter where the work is conducted. UNH policies, offices, and guidelines are in place to minimize risks:

Safety

Working with vertebrate animals can result in unpredictable situations and can lead to injuries or illness. The information in the following slides identifies potential hazards of such work and controls available for protection.

UNH has an occupational health program for individuals who work with vertebrate animals. Each UNH faculty or staff member, or student handling or working with live vertebrate animals or unfixed tissue at UNH must participate in the UNH Occupational Health Program for Animal Care Personnel.

Participating in the UNH Occupational Health Program for Animal Care Personnel involves completing a Medical History & Risk Assessment Questionnaire for Persons Handling or Working with Live Vertebrate Animals. This form asks about an individual’s medical history, which is necessary to ensure any potential risk factors are communicated to medical staff and where necessary, protections put in place.

Safety (cont.)

Completed forms should be uploaded to a portal or delivered in-person to UNH Health & Wellness (contact information is located on the bottom of the form). UNH Health & Wellness staff review the form and contact the individual with any questions. The form and any subsequent communication is considered confidential medical information by UNH Health & Wellness.

Once UNH Health & Wellness medical staff have reviewed the form and cleared the individual for working with vertebrate animals or unfixed tissue, they will inform RIS staff. RIS staff then inform the PI that the individual is cleared to work with vertebrate animals or unfixed tissue.

Safety (cont.)

Working with vertebrate animals, whether in a lab or outside, may present different types of hazards:

Physical hazards are those that can physically injure a person. They include sharp objects, uneven walking surfaces, or animals that can bite, knock over a person, or step on one's foot. Injuries that can occur as a result of physical hazards include cuts, bites, burns, sprains, strains, fractures, or crushing injuries associated with contact with large animals (e.g., cows or horses).

To protect against physical hazards, individuals should:

Safety (cont.)

Chemical hazards are materials that come into contact with or enter the body and are detrimental to a person's health or cause physical injury. Chemical hazards can cause:

Chemical hazards can cause physical injury as they may be:

Safety (cont.)

Chemical hazards can enter a body in four ways:

Safety (cont.)

Biological hazards are substances that pose a threat to the health of living organisms through causing illness or disease. They include microorganisms (e.g., bacteria, viruses, mold), human blood or body fluids, or parasitic worms.

People are exposed to biological hazards through bites, cuts, needles, or incidental contact via the mouth, nose, eyes, or compromised skin.

To protect against chemical or biological hazards, individuals should:

Safety (cont.)

Personal protective equipment takes many forms and includes:

The most important consideration with any type of personal protective equipment is to have the correct equipment for the potential hazards present.

There are many types of glove that can protect against chemical materials but that offer no protection against physical hazards. Further, chemical gloves only protect against the chemicals for which they are rated. Individuals should always make sure that they are wearing the correct glove for the task they will perform.

Safety (cont.)

Safety glasses will only protect against physical hazards such as flying objects; they will not protect against liquid splashes. A better protection option when using liquids or chemicals is safety googles, which provide a better seal to the face. If necessary, individuals should use a full-face shield over safety googles.

Individuals who have questions about the selection or use of personal protective equipment should consult their manager, supervisor, or PI. They may also contact the UNH Office of Environmental Health & Safety.

Any injury must be reported to a supervisor and reported to UNH Human Resources (via an accident report) within 24 hours.

Communication

Vertebrate animal use in research and teaching is controversial, and opponents sometimes present images and other information about vertebrate animal use in misleading or inflammatory ways. On the other hand, openness and clear communication of the value of vertebrate animal use is essential to maintaining public support of the activity.

In the spirit of protecting UNH’s credibility and the integrity of UNH’s research and teaching activities, UNH has a communication procedure in the event of inquiries about vertebrate animal use in research or teaching.

Communication (cont.)

PIs who use vertebrate animals in their research or teaching activities, as well as vertebrate animal facility managers, are encouraged to talk with students and personnel under their supervision about recording images (including photographs and videos) of animals and the responsible use of any resulting images. This includes recording using cell phones and any public release/use (e.g., via social media, website presentation, publication).

Recording images of vertebrate animals may be allowed in some animal facilities, but not in others. Whether images may be recorded is at the discretion of the PI or facility manager.

Recording images of vertebrate animals should be for professional purposes only. An ARO veterinarian or UNH Media Relations should approve any media content containing images of vertebrate animal use prior to release.

Review Scenario 1 - Questions 1 & 2

Scenario: A graduate student’s thesis research involves trapping and tagging small vertebrates at field sites across New Hampshire, and then returning to the sites later in the season for a second round of trapping to assess population density and animal movement. The research design also includes laboratory experiments on campus using a small number of captured animals; these individuals will then be euthanized and preserved for future analysis. Which of the following statements are true?

1. As long as the IACUC has approved the activity, no further permits are required.

Incorrect. PIs are responsible for obtaining all necessary state, federal, and other permits relevant to their work, even though such permits are not directly overseen by the IACUC.
Correct. PIs are responsible for obtaining all necessary state, federal, and other permits relevant to their work, even though such permits are not directly overseen by the IACUC.

2. Since only wild vertebrate animals are involved, no IACUC application is needed.

Incorrect. IACUC approval is required for projects involving any vertebrate animal, whether purchased, wild, or domestic – regardless of source..
Correct. IACUC approval is required for projects involving any vertebrate animal, whether purchased, wild, or domestic – regardless of source.

Review Scenario 1 - Questions 3 & 4

Scenario: A graduate student’s thesis research involves trapping and tagging small vertebrates at field sites across New Hampshire, and then returning to the sites later in the season for a second round of trapping to assess population density and animal movement. The research design also includes laboratory experiments on campus using a small number of captured animals; these individuals will then be euthanized and preserved for future analysis. Which of the following statements are true?

3. The IACUC application must list all vertebrate species that might be trapped, even accidentally – not just the species that are included in the study.

Correct. The IACUC oversees all involvement of vertebrate animals in research and teaching, regardless of whether their involvement is deliberate, or part of the study. Vertebrate animals that may be trapped or otherwise affected inadvertently (including fishing by-catch) must still be included in the species list and total numbers of vertebrate animals specified in the application.
Incorrect. The IACUC oversees all involvement of vertebrate animals in research and teaching, regardless of whether their involvement is deliberate, or part of the study. Vertebrate animals that may be trapped or otherwise affected inadvertently (including fishing by-catch) must still be included in the species list and total numbers of vertebrate animals specified in the application.

4. IACUC permission is needed only for the vertebrate animals that will be euthanized.

Incorrect. All vertebrate animals affected by the study must be included in the application, even those that will be released on-site.
Correct. All vertebrate animals affected by the study must be included in the application, even those that will be released on-site.

Review Scenario 1 - Questions 5 & 6

Scenario: A graduate student’s thesis research involves trapping and tagging small vertebrates at field sites across New Hampshire, and then returning to the sites later in the season for a second round of trapping to assess population density and animal movement. The research design also includes laboratory experiments on campus using a small number of captured animals; these individuals will then be euthanized and preserved for future analysis. Which of the following statements are true?

5. The graduate student should review all relevant safety procedures before beginning the study.

Correct. The well-being of people is important, too. Safety of project personnel must be ensured as part of the research plan. For field studies, all participants should carefully review the guidelines for field safety.
Incorrect. The well-being of people is important, too. Safety of project personnel must be ensured as part of the research plan. For field studies, all participants should carefully review the guidelines for field safety.

6. Undergraduate field assistants do not need to be listed on the IACUC application (just the graduate student and the faculty PI).

Incorrect. All personnel who will have contact with live vertebrate animals must be listed on the application, must be provided with appropriate training and supervision, and must have current occupational health program approval. If field assistants or other project personnel have not yet been identified when the application is approved by the IACUC, they can be added subsequently by contacting the IACUC.
Correct. All personnel who will have contact with live animals must be listed on the application, must be provided with appropriate training and supervision, and must have a current occupational health approval. If field assistants or other project personnel have not yet been identified when the protocol is submitted for approval, they can be added subsequently by contacting the IACUC.

Review Scenario 1 - Question 7

Scenario: A graduate student’s thesis research involves trapping and tagging small vertebrates at field sites across New Hampshire, and then returning to the sites later in the season for a second round of trapping to assess population density and animal movement. The research design also includes laboratory experiments on campus using a small number of captured animals; these individuals will then be euthanized and preserved for future analysis. Is the following statement true?

7. The laboratory space on campus must be approved by the IACUC before experiments begin.

Correct. One responsibility of the IACUC and the ARO is to inspect and approve all facilities on campus that are used for research and teaching involving vertebrate animals. Approval must be obtained before animals are housed or used in the space.
Incorrect. One responsibility of the IACUC and the ARO is to inspect and approve all facilities on campus that are used for research and teaching involving vertebrate animals. Approval must be obtained before animals are housed or used in the space.

Review Scenario 2 - Questions 1 & 2

Scenario: A fisheries researcher will be carrying out a cooperative research project working with local commercial fishermen. The research will be carried out aboard fishing boats, in the course of normal fishing activities. The researcher will take samples from some of the fish. The samples will be brought back to campus for analysis, and the rest of the fish will be sold to market as part of the overall catch. Which of the following statements are true?

1. As the fishing activity is occurring independent of the research (that is, the fish would be caught even if the research were not occurring), no IACUC approval is required.

Incorrect. Any research involving vertebrate animals must be reviewed and approved by the IACUC.
Correct. Any research involving vertebrate animals must be reviewed and approved by the IACUC.

2. The fishing boats must be inspected by the IACUC before the research can begin.

Incorrect. No vertebrate animals will be housed or subject to experimental manipulations on the boats; they are analogous to a field site where animals are caught and samples are taken.
Correct. No vertebrate animals will be housed or subject to experimental manipulations on the boats; they are analogous to a field site where animals are caught and samples are taken.

Review Scenario 2 - Question 3 & 4

Scenario: A fisheries researcher will be carrying out a cooperative research project working with local commercial fishermen. The research will be carried out aboard fishing boats, in the course of normal fishing activities. The researcher will take samples from some of the fish. The samples will be brought back to campus for analysis, and the rest of the fish will be sold to market as part of the overall catch. Which of the following statements are true?

3. The fishermen should be listed as “personnel” on the IACUC application.

Incorrect. Although the fishermen are catching and handling the fish, the research as such (taking samples) is being performed only by the researcher. All other activities involving the fish are part of normal fishing operations, independent of the research project.
Correct. Although the fishermen are catching and handling the fish, the research as such (taking samples) is being performed only by the researcher. All other activities involving the fish are part of normal fishing operations, independent of the research project.

4. The lab where the samples will be analyzed must be approved by the IACUC.

Incorrect. No live vertebrate animals will be housed or used in the lab, so IACUC approval is not required.
Correct. No live vertebrate animals will be housed or used in the lab, so IACUC approval is not required.

Review Scenario 2 - Question 5 & 6

Scenario: A fisheries researcher will be carrying out a cooperative research project working with local commercial fishermen. The research will be carried out aboard fishing boats, in the course of normal fishing activities. The researcher will take samples from some of the fish. The samples will be brought back to campus for analysis, and the rest of the fish will be sold to market as part of the overall catch. Which of the following statements are true?

5. Only the fish species that will be sampled should be listed.

Incorrect. All vertebrate species that may be caught should be listed, whether or not they are sampled as part of the study. The IACUC oversees all involvement of vertebrate animals in research and teaching, regardless of whether their involvement is deliberate. Vertebrate animals that may be trapped or otherwise affected inadvertently (including fishing by-catch) must still be included in the species list and total numbers of animals specified in the application.
Correct. All vertebrate species that may be caught should be listed, whether or not they are sampled as part of the study. The IACUC oversees all involvement of vertebrate animals in research and teaching, regardless of whether their involvement is deliberate. Vertebrate animals that may be trapped or otherwise affected inadvertently (including fishing by-catch) must still be included in the species list and total numbers of animals specified in the application.

6. Details of sample processing in the lab do not need to be included in the application.

Correct. The IACUC has jurisdiction over activities involving live vertebrate animals, but not tissue samples that have been removed from an animal.
Incorrect. The IACUC has jurisdiction over activities involving live vertebrate animals, but not tissue samples that have been removed from an animal.

Review Scenario 3

Scenario: A teaching assistant (TA) for a laboratory course receives an anonymous communication from someone claiming to be a student with ethical objections to animal experimentation, who plans to “rescue” in the near future the animals intended for class use. What should the TA do first (check one)?
Incorrect. Maintaining appropriate security by locking the door is an important practice, but in the case of a specific threat, additional actions should be taken, following the procedures in the laboratory’s emergency preparedness plan.
Incorrect. First, take immediate action according to the laboratory’s emergency preparedness plan. The professor should be alerted, but this is not the top priority in responding to the threat.
Incorrect. First, take immediate action according to the laboratory’s emergency preparedness plan. Communicating with students about the threat, including safety/preparedness information and procedures for reporting concerns about animal use, is a valuable exercise, but not the top priority. Once the immediate threat has been addressed, discuss with the professor and other TAs how to address the incident with students in the class.
Correct. Take immediate action according to the laboratory’s emergency preparedness plan, and inform campus police of the threat and the need for heightened security in the area. Contact the professor as well as other TAs, instructors, and staff who may be working in the area. Individuals who think there may be a danger to themselves or to animals should remove themselves from the danger and call for help. Personal safety always comes first.
  • For an emergency, dial 911
  • UNH Police, 603-862-1427
Incorrect. First, take immediate action according to the laboratory’s emergency preparedness plan. Once immediate concerns have been addressed, discuss with the professor and other TAs how to address the incident with students in the class. This can be an excellent opportunity to explain why animal use is important as an educational experience, to educate students about the stringent approval procedure required to justify it, and to remind students of legitimate ways to report concerns about the use of animals in their courses.

Review Scenario 4

Scenario: A new researcher is arriving on campus and needs to build or renovate a facility to house her research animals. The animals are unique, so there’s a lot of media interest in her work. Which of the following should she consider as she works on getting her program up and running (check one)?
Partially Correct - A better answer exists. Emergency preparedness as it relates to animal welfare must be addressed as part of the initial and ongoing approval of animal facilities. The researcher should also be aware of university-wide emergency preparedness efforts and planning, including communications.
Partially Correct - A better answer exists. Depending on the nature of her research, the researcher may need to communicate with the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC), the Radiation Safety Committee (RSC), and/or the Occupational Safety Committee (OSC) to make sure her animal facility addresses potential hazards to human as well as animal health.
Partially Correct - A better answer exists. The researcher should anticipate strong interest in her animals and her work, and make sure she is familiar with the IACUC’s media and communication guidelines. She may also want to contact the Office of Media Relations for help communicating effectively with the media and the public about her research program.
Partially Correct - A better answer exists. The new facilities will have to be inspected and approved by the IACUC and ARO before any animals are housed there, and inspected biannually thereafter. If the species in question are covered by the Animal Welfare Act (AWA), there may be unannounced federal inspections. The researcher should become familiar with information about approval of animal facilities at UNH; it will also be important for the researcher to establish a good working relationship with the ARO.
Partially Correct - A better answer exists. A strong working relationship with the ARO will benefit both the researcher and her research animals. The ARO provides assistance to project directors in every phase of animal activity.
Partially Correct - A better answer exists. All vertebrate animal use at UNH requires prior approval by the UNH IACUC. Since the new researcher needs this approval before she can purchase the animals (she will likely need IACUC approval to obtain grant funding to pay for them), she should get an early start on the application process. Even if she brings animals with her from another institution, UNH requires she obtain approval from the IACUC to use them in her work at UNH before bringing them to UNH.
Partially Correct - A better answer exists. It is the researcher’s responsibility to provide appropriate training and supervision for all students (graduate or undergraduate) or others who have any contact with vertebrate animals, regardless of their role. UNH has a mandatory occupational health program for animal handlers, and mandatory training for animal care and use personnel. The researcher should make sure each research assistant is added to her approved IACUC protocol, and that they are familiar with her specific animals and procedures as well as with general issues such as both university-wide and facility specific emergency preparedness procedures, media guidelines, and reporting of concerns about animal use. The Basic Guidelines for Biological and Personal Safety When Working with Vertebrate Animals are an excellent starting place.
Correct. All are responsibilities of every researcher who plans to use vertebrate animals in research or instruction. The ARO and IACUC are responsible for overseeing all aspects of vertebrate animal use on campus, and offer support and guidance for all researchers who need to comply with the terms of UNH’s Animal Welfare Assurance.

Review Scenario 5

Scenario: A UNH researcher has just received a grant from a feed company to test a new dietary supplement for dairy cows. Cows will have the supplement added to their feed for two weeks, and milk components will be analyzed before, during, and after that period. An undergraduate student will assist with the project, and then use the data as part of a senior honors thesis. Which one of the following statements is correct?
Incorrect. Although no new animals will be purchased, it is a new research project and requires review and approval by the IACUC before starting. Since the PI on an IACUC application must be a UNH faculty or staff member, the researcher supervising the thesis will be the person to submit the application and take the ultimate responsibility for the animals involved. The student will be listed as project personnel.
Incorrect. Any individual who will be working with animals must be appropriately trained and supervised. Failure to meet these requirements poses serious risks to the people, the research, and the animals.
Incorrect. However, it is important that the student discuss the use of any photos with the principal investigator and facility manager, and review the IACUC’s media and communication guidelines.
Incorrect. All vertebrate animal use is covered by UNH’s policy on the Care and Use of Animals, regardless of funding source.
Correct. Individual animals may not be involved in multiple simultaneous research projects, both for their own welfare and to ensure the validity of results.
Incorrect. The animals will be given different diets as part of the research, and IACUC review and approval is required for this activity.

Review Scenario 6 - Question 1 & 2

Scenario: A researcher has IACUC approval involving the trapping of small mammals. She has an experienced graduate student running the field sites, and training and supervising several undergraduate students. The lab’s policy is that the researcher must approve before use any images that involve study animals. One evening when scouring the internet for some information, the researcher discovers photographs posted online in social media accounts by two of the undergraduates. These photographs show the graduate student playing around, and clearly show the trapping activities in the background. The researcher immediately contacts the undergraduate students, and requests that they take down the photographs because they did not have approval to post photographs of the trapping activities. The students protest, responding that they weren’t taking pictures of the trapping but of themselves, and that including trapping activities in the background of the photographs was an accident. Which of the following statements are true?

1. As long as the photographs were not used for professional purposes, then the students did not need the researcher’s approval to use them.

Incorrect.
Correct.

2. The capturing of trapping activities in the photographs was accidental, so the students did not need the researcher’s approval to use the photographs.

Incorrect.
Correct.

Review Scenario 6 - Question 3 & 4

Scenario: A researcher has IACUC approval involving the trapping of small mammals. She has an experienced graduate student running the field sites, and training and supervising several undergraduate students. The lab’s policy is that the researcher must approve before use any images that involve study animals. One evening when scouring the internet for some information, the researcher discovers photographs posted online in social media accounts by two of the undergraduates. These photographs show the graduate student playing around, and clearly show the trapping activities in the background. The researcher immediately contacts the undergraduate students, and requests that they take down the photographs because they did not have approval to post photographs of the trapping activities. The students protest, responding that they weren’t taking pictures of the trapping but of themselves, and that including trapping activities in the background of the photographs was an accident. Which of the following statements are true?

3. The graduate student should have forewarned the undergraduate students that they could not use any of the photographs that involved the trapping activities, even for personal use, without the faculty member’s approval.

Correct.
Incorrect.

4. As the supervisor of the undergraduates at the field site, the graduate student should have been more circumspect about his behavior at the field site, including having his picture taken playing around in front of the traps.

Correct.
Incorrect.

Review Scenario 6 - Question 5 & 6

Scenario: A researcher has IACUC approval involving the trapping of small mammals. She has an experienced graduate student running the field sites, and training and supervising several undergraduate students. The lab’s policy is that the researcher must approve before use any images that involve study animals. One evening when scouring the internet for some information, the researcher discovers photographs posted online in social media accounts by two of the undergraduates. These photographs show the graduate student playing around, and clearly show the trapping activities in the background. The researcher immediately contacts the undergraduate students, and requests that they take down the photographs because they did not have approval to post photographs of the trapping activities. The students protest, responding that they weren’t taking pictures of the trapping but of themselves, and that including trapping activities in the background of the photographs was an accident. Which of the following statements are true?

5. It is the researcher’s decision whether anyone may record (e.g., video, photograph) vertebrate animals involved in her research.

Correct.
Incorrect.

6. There are no restrictions on the use on social media of images of vertebrate research animals.

Incorrect.
Correct.

Case Study Review

Click on the image below to see the case study that was presented at the beginning of this module.

Case Study Review

Congratulations!

Once you have finished all of the review questions click ’Certify Completion’.

Certify Completion