The Animal Welfare Act was first passed in 1966 to address the concerns of the American public regarding the acquisition and use of animals in research. To ensure adherence to the Act, the Congress established a self-oversight mechanism for all research institutions; this oversight is through the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). UT Arlington’s Animal Care and Use Program encompasses all animals used for research, testing, education, display or any other purpose.
The use of animals in research and teaching is a privilege carrying with it unique professional and moral obligations to ensure that animals are treated humanely and in accordance with the policies of UT Arlington, the regulations of the Animal Welfare Act, and other laws and policies of the federal government and other agencies. The ultimate responsibility for compliance with regulations that affect the care and use of animals lies with the animal researchers themselves; thus, it is of paramount importance to have knowledge of the regulatory requirements and local policies. Every person using animals, whether investigator, technician, student, or instructor, must be aware of and abide by their attendant obligations to assure that animals utilized by the University’s programs are used in a humane manner.
It is also necessary for all who perform animal research, teaching, or testing, to ensure that animals are utilized only if the information gained promises to contribute to understanding of fundamental biological principles or to the development of knowledge that can be expected to benefit humans or animals. The tenets of the “3 Rs” approach to animal research, “Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement” should be followed at all times. Animals should be used only when the researcher’s best efforts to find an alternative model have failed. When there is no acceptable alternative, researchers should employ the most humane methods, using the smallest number of appropriate animals necessary to obtain statistically valid results. Only when research is performed appropriately and humanely can there be assurance of the continued use of animal models in the quest for knowledge.
Available Training
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The University of Texas at Arlington: Online Training Instructions & Required Modules |
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The University of Texas at Arlington: Field Research Involving Animals |
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Additional Resources
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The University of Texas at Arlington: Policy and Procedures for Animal Research |
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(pdf attached) |
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Animal Welfare Act |
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Animal Welfare Regulations |
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Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals |
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Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals |
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(pdf attached) |
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Online Tutorial for the PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Lab Animals |
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What Investigators Need to Know About the Use of Animals |
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(pdf attached) |
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Available Forms
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The University of Texas at Arlington: Animal Use Protocol Application |
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(pdf attached) |
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The University of Texas at Arlington: Field Research Protocol Application |
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The University of Texas at Arlington: Animal Protocol Amendment Form |
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The University of Texas at Arlington: Animal Protocol Annual/Final Report Form |
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