The following are key Guidelines and Codes of Practice for PIs and should be referred to before conducting research on animal models and when preparing AEC/IACUC applications:
- AAALAC Accepted Guidelines:
The NIH Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals – 8th edition
EU Directive 2010/63/EU which can be found on the animals used for scientific purposes webpage of the EU website and the ETS 123 (2006) Appendix A which can be found on the Council of Europe website European Convention for the Protection of Vertebrate Animals used for Experimental and other Scientific Purposes detailing Treaty 123
Guide for the Care and Use of Agricultural Animals in Research and Teaching by Federation of Animal Science Societies, Third edition, 2010
2. Other Useful Guidelines:
Animal Research Advisory Committee Guidelines prepared by the NIH Office of Animal Care and Use
The Australian code for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes – 8th Edition
The Australian Code is also complimented by the recent publication of ‘Best practice methodology in the use of animals for scientific purposes’
Canadian Guidelines are found on the CCAC website
FELASA guidelines and recommendations (2012)
Guidelines for Ethical Conduct in the Care and Use of Nonhuman Animals in Research
3. There are also specialist guidelines for Faculty to follow in relation to:
a. Behavioural Research:
The Guidelines for the care and use of mammals in neuroscience and behavioral research
b. Cancer Research:
Guidelines for the welfare of Animals in Experimental Neoplasia developed by the United Kingdom Coordinating Committee of Cancer Research The PDF version can be downloaded here
c. Safety Evaluation of Drugs – Humane Endpoints using Clinical signs:
Guidance Document on the Recognition, Assessment and Use of Clinical Signs as Humane Endpoints for Experimental Animals Used in Safety Evaluation by the Environment Directorate Joint Meeting of the Chemicals Committee and the Working Party on Chemicals, Pesticides and Biotechnology (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development)
d. Ethical Research Behaviour:
Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research
Chinese University of Hong Kong’s Code of Conduct