May 2023 Lab Animal Column: Customer Inconvenience for Regulatory Convenience

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An institution maintains a robust animal care and use training program, including strict consequences for training lapses. However, the training courses are offered monthly by two individuals. When a highly virulent virus results in unavailability of the trainers, a PI asks how the institution plans to handle the inevitable training lapses that will occur due to missed courses. 

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IACUC 101 Plus Workshop

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June 14-15, 2023 | Virtual

The IACUC 101 Plus Workshop will be held virtually over 2 half-days on June 14 and 15.  
 
This workshop explores IACUC fundamentals appropriate for new and seasoned IACUC members, IACUC affiliates, and individuals responsible for their institution's animal care program. The course provides a basic yet comprehensive overview of the laws, regulations, and policies that govern the humane care and use of research animals. The USDA and OLAW will have representatives present to provide guidance on compliance issues and to provide agency updates.  

The deadline for registration is June 11, 2023. 

 

Reminder: Register for the SCAW IACUC Training Workshop

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June 8, 2023 | In-Person | The City University of New York (CUNY), The Graduate School and University Center 

Don’t forget to register for the June SCAW Workshop! Hear research professionals present information on the ethics and value of animal research, regulatory updates, laboratory animal welfare, and join interactive discussions centered around animal care and use scenarios.

Registration closes on June 1, 2023.

 

About SCAW: The Scientist’s Center for Animal Welfare (SCAW) is dedicated to balancing animal welfare and excellence in basic and applied scientific inquiry. SCAW’s workshops further that mission by providing training from experts in animal research, including investigators, laboratory animal veterinarians, and representatives from the USDA, NIH OLAW, and AAALAC International. 

 

Don't Forget! 3Rs Symposium May 17-18

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This virtual symposium will focus on reduction, refinement, and replacement methods to improve laboratory animal welfare while maintaining or improving scientific results. It is jointly organized by the Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, the Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, the USDA’s Animal Welfare Information Center (AWIC) at the National Agricultural Library, and the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare, National Institutes of Health. 

Sessions are designed for investigators, laboratory animal veterinarians, care staff, and IACUC members and staff. Residents, students, and postdocs are also welcome!  

 

Feedback Requested on OLAW and USDA Efforts to Reduce Administrative Burden

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In response to the 21st Century Cures Act, OLAW and USDA are requesting feedback on their efforts to reduce administrative burden, while maintaining the integrity and credibility of research findings and the protection of research animals. A survey link will be sent out to contacts from Domestic Assured institutions and USDA Registered research facilities via email once the survey opens. The survey will take approximately 15-25 minutes to complete. Please note: 

  • The survey should be completed by individuals (e.g., IACUC administrators, coordinators, etc.) involved directly in the oversight of their institution’s animal care and use program and/or IACUC policies and operations
  • The survey will open on June 1, 2023, and close on August 31, 2023

Please email olaw@od.nih.gov with any questions

Upcoming OLAW Webinar: The ARRIVE 2.0 Essential 10 - Guidance for NIH-sponsored research

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June 15, 2023 | 1:00-2:00 PM ET 

 

Join us for an informative webinar by Dr. Penny Reynolds, a coauthor of the ARRIVE guidelines 2.0, that will provide an overview of the ARRIVE Essential 10, how each relates to study quality, and how to operationalize them for inclusion in research protocols and grant proposals. The “Essential 10” are statistically-based items essential for ensuring study rigor and reproducibility. However, reporting is not enough – study quality and reliability can be achieved only if these items are built into the study before data are collected. 

What are the ARRIVE Guidelines?

Your Input Needed - OLAW Seeks Comments on Proposed Guidance for Clarifying Animal Activities Exempt from IACUC Review

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As part of the 21st Century Cures Act, OLAW committed to clarifying animal activities that are exempt from the Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (PHS Policy) requirements for Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) review. The proposed revisions are now available for public comment through a Request for Information (RFI). The final guidance will be published along with a new webpage once comments have been considered.  

 

The proposed changes can be found here: NOT-OD-23-119

 Comments should be submitted online: Submit Here 

Comments will be accepted from April 25, 2023 - July 31, 2023 

 

Reminder: Register for the 3Rs Symposium!

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May 17-18 | Virtual

Don't forget to register for this fantastic opportunity! This symposium will focus on reduction, refinement, and replacement methods to improve laboratory animal welfare while maintaining or improving scientific results. It is jointly organized by the Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, the Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, the USDA’s Animal Welfare Information Center (AWIC) at the National Agricultural Library, and the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare, National Institutes of Health. 

Sessions are designed for investigators, laboratory animal veterinarians, care staff, and IACUC members and staff. Residents, students, and postdocs are also welcome!  

Highlights include: 

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