Great Eastern University’s new IACUC director notices that it has been standard practice at GEU for investigators to refer to consultation with the veterinarian in lieu of describing specific humane endpoints directly in the protocol. The issue is brought to the IACUC for discussion. What factors should the IACUC consider? This issue examines the IACUC’s responsibility when it comes to evaluating endpoints and the relation to scientific rigor and animal welfare.

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A dedicated Rumor Control section of the FDA website helps to stop and correct the spread of misinformation and disinformation about science, medicine, and the FDA. Rumors about animals in research were debunked this May in the featured article Facts about FDA and Animal Welfare, Testing & Research. The article educates with positive and factual information about the 3Rs, alternatives to animal testing, and the federal laws regulating animal research. It also discusses FDA’s work with industry partners to advance the development and adoption of alternatives to animal testing. To learn more, please visit the FDA Rumor Control webpage.

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December 9-10, 2024 | San Antonio, TX | In-Person

Registration is open for the Scientists Center for Animal Welfare (SCAW) winter conference. SCAW two-day conferences provide key findings and advances in research animal welfare, explore policy and management issues related to IACUCs and develop awareness of humane care and use of agricultural animals in research. Topics to be discussed include: 

June 27, 2024| 1:00-2:00pm ET | Virtual

Join us for a discussion of change management as it relates to animal research. This webinar will introduce useful tools for understanding barriers to change, developing buy-in, and optimizing implementation. The speakers will illustrate techniques using real world examples and data.

Speakers:

• Natasha Karp, PhD, 
  Director of Statistics 
  Quantitative Biology, Discovery Science, R&D, AstraZeneca, UK 
   
• Brianna Gaskill, PhD,
  3Rs Senior Scientist 
  Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research 
   

June 19, 2024 | 3:00-4:30 PM ET | Virtual

This session, titled “Are there Political Opinions within Institutional Biosafety Programs?” will discuss the complexities and differing opinions surrounding institutional biosafety programs and explore how varying viewpoints influence program management, policymaking and implementation, as well as program compliance. Attendees will discuss the challenges and opportunities presented by these diverse perspectives, providing attendees with a comprehensive understanding of the dynamic environment in which biosafety operates.

• Attendance Fees: $0 for BSAA Members and $75 for nonmembers
• Attendees are encouraged to submit questions to [email protected] prior to the meeting and may be encouraged to interact by discussing their own institution's practices.

Registration Closed

June 6, 2024 | 11:30 AM - 4:30 pm ET | Virtual

The IBC 201/Best Practice meeting is a 5-hour training opportunity for both new and seasoned Biosafety committee members, Biosafety Administrators, program compliance coordinators, and other individuals who contribute to the institution’s biosafety compliance program. Sessions are initiated using didactic presentations that are intended to provide sufficient background on several topics to ensure attendees have a general understanding of an overall Institutional Biosafety programs.

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NIH has updated and expanded its content and resources discussing the involvement of Animals in NIH Funding. The website is designed for a general audience, providing a plain language explanation of the following: 

• Why Animals are Used in Research
• How Animals Have Helped Improve Public Health
• Why Properly Designed Experiments Are Critical for Animal Research, and Advancing Public Health
• Ensuring the Care of Research Animals
• Adoption of Laboratory Animals after Research (new)
• When Are Alternatives to Animals Used in Research?

Additional resources on the topics highlight webinars, blog posts, press releases, podcasts, links to other webpages, and more based in part from prior feedback received.

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