Research with animals is a critical component of biomedical research. The welfare of these animals is overseen by the Public Health Service (PHS) Policy on the Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, which is regulated by the Office of Lab Animal Welfare (OLAW). OLAW mandates that any U.S. research institution or organization that has federally-funded research and wishes to use vertebrate animals must establish an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC).
Each research organization's IACUC approves and monitors all research involving vertebrate animals at that institution.
OLAW and all abiding IACUCs assess the well-being of animals in research according to the 8th edition of the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.
NWABR supports the humane and ethical use of animals in research and recognizes the importance of training and interactive discussions on issues relating to lab animal welfare, research management and regulatory review. These federally mandated IACUCS are central to the effective facilitation and overview of that research.
NWABR hosts educational conferences for IACUC members and administrators to ensure compliance with federal and institutional policies to protect animal welfare. Read more about our IACUC Conferences.
Read more about IACUCs through the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS)
Read more about the Office of Lab Animal Welfare (OLAW)
“Nearly every biomedical advance in the world was, and still is, supported by the hard work and tender hearts of lab animal professionals… devoted to improving the quality of human and animal lives.”
