WORLD CONGRESS PRESENTATIONS
Recommendations: Aligning iacucs with Public Expectation Broaden scope of IACUC function to better question proposed animal uses and more fully implement the 3Rs. »» IACUCs should evaluate the purpose of the proposed experiment against the suffering experienced by the animals. In doing so, IACUCs should also: »» More rigorously evaluate the justification and rationale for animal use and choice of animal model. »» Investigator should conduct a systematic review/literature search assessing the predictive value of the proposed animal model, including what has been done and the strengths and limitations of the model and alternatives. »» Assess methodological quality of study, including proposed sample sizes, use of randomization and blinding, and statistical analyses, as these bear on the potential usefulness of results. »» Assess how results will be communicated, and prospectively register approved protocols (anonymously as necessary), as the reporting of results, even if negative or neutral, is important for reassessing the utility of an animal model or avoiding duplication of experiments. »» Decisions by funding agencies should not supersede the IACUC’s evaluations. »» IACUCs should be empowered to actively create a culture of care for the institution and make recommendations to the institution regarding its animal use policies. Adjust composition and format of IACUC to better incorporate relevant expertise that will support the IACUC’s broadened functions. »» Strengthen role of community representative (non-affiliated member) to provide better presentation of public’s views on animal use. »» Increase number of community representatives on IACUC (at least 1/2 of committee membership). »» At least one community member should represent animal welfare interests.
»» Nominations for community representatives should be solicited from community organizations (including animal welfare groups) and from institutional sources external to IACUC. »» Include alternatives specialist and statistician on IACUC to help shift focus from refinement to reduction and replacement. »» Require alternatives information search training for all IACUC members. »» Require decisions to be by consensus, with option for dissenting opinions, rather than by majority vote. »» Assign members role of playing devil’s advocate. »» Make IACUC protocol reviews publicly available. Establish national Animal Ethics Advisory Committee to assist IACUCs in ethics review. »» Committee would provide guidance and framework for conducting harm-benefit analyses and ethical decision-making. »» Committee would address broad topics in ethics requiring more extensive deliberation beyond the capacity of the IACUC, including highly controversial uses of animals, such as: »» Procedures that cause significant or unrelieved pain or distress. »» Procedures that use non-human primates, dogs, cats, pigs, or horses. »» Procedures involving genetically engineered animals. »» Procedures where the outcome of the cost-benefit analysis is not clear. »» Committee should include ethicists, scientists, representatives of the animal welfare community, and lay persons to reflect the spectrum of societal values that bear on ethical review »» Lay persons should comprise 1/2 of the membership. »» Specialized knowledge and technical expertise should be sought out as necessary.
Selected References Houde, L. et al (2009). Ethics: Views from IACUC members. ATLA 37: 291-296. Ideland, M. (2009). Different views on ethics: how animal ethics is situated in a committee culture. J Med Ethics 35(4); 258-261. Kilkenny C. et al (2009). Survey of the quality of experimental design, statistical analysis and reporting of research using animals. PloS ONE 4(11): e7824. Kimmelman, J. and London, A.J. (2011). Predicting harms and benefits in translational trials: Ethics, evidence, and uncertainty. PLoS Med 8(3): e1001010. Leslie, J. (2009). Lay persons and community values in reviewing animal experimentation. U Chi Legal F: 113-136. Orlans, F.B. (1993). In the name of science: Issues in responsible animal experimentation. New York: Oxford University Press. Perel, P. et al (2007). Comparison of treatment effects between animal experiments and clinical trials: systematic review. BMJ 334(7586): 197. Schuppli, C.A. and Fraser, D. (2007). Factors influencing the effectiveness of research ethics committees. J Med Ethics 33(5): 294-301. USDA Annual Non-Compliant Item Summaries, 2005-2007. Avail. at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_welfare/pubs_reports.shtml. USDA OIG (2005). Audit report: APHIS Animal Care program inspection and enforcement activities. Complete list of references available upon request.
14 2012 world congress