Document Type
Article
Publication Date
7-4-2025
Abstract
In the U.S. and many other countries, oversight committee approval is a common requirement for conducting research and publishing its findings. However, in evaluating whether research aims could have been achieved by methods other than the use of animals, these committees face a challenging task. In the U.S., there is no requirement that committee members have expertise in the research areas under review or in methods that could replace animal use, nor could expertise in such vast technical areas be expected. Consideration of alternatives to painful procedures is not required at all for experiments on animals not covered by the Animal Welfare Act. Funding institutions and scientific journals should not use institutional committee approval of submissions as evidence of adherence to ethical guidelines beyond those legally required. Suggestions for more robust consideration of nonanimal methods and improvements in the review process are provided.
Recommended Citation
Pippin, J.J., Bailey, J., Kennedy, M. et al. Institutional animal care and use committees and the challenges of evaluating animal research proposals. Res Integr Peer Rev 10, 11 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s41073-025-00169-9
