February Lab Animal Column: The Weights of Refinement and Flexibility

Upon hearing of a new procedure that may be a refinement to her current experimental practices, an investigator proposes a pilot study to evaluate its effectiveness in comparison to her traditional methods. She proposes to run this pilot study alongside her regular studies. The IACUC wonders: Should they require the PI to stop all research until the pilot study is completed, or can she continue her work while evaluating the possible new alternative?

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