Office of Animal Welfare

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Institutional Policy Statement on Animal Research

The University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC) recognizes that scientific and medical knowledge developed through animal research has alleviated pain and distress, improved human and animal health, and has saved countless lives. KUMC supports the judicious use of animals in research, education, and testing, in the interests of human health and animal welfare. KUMC insists on humane and ethical treatment of any animals used in research, education, and testing.

KUMC recognizes its legal and ethical responsibilities to ensure that animals are not used needlessly and are spared all unnecessary pain and distress. To this end, KUMC adheres to all applicable federal, state, local, and institutional laws or guidelines governing animal research, and maintains a laboratory animal medicine program directed by veterinarians specialized in laboratory animal medicine. KUMC places a high priority on “The Three Rs” – refinement, reduction, and replacement, and is committed to supporting the development of techniques that:

• Refine procedures to ensure the best care and comfort;
• Reduce the number of laboratory animals used; and
• Replace animal models with alternative research models when scientifically possible.

KUMC’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee provides supervision, coordination, and review of every project proposed to include the use of animals. This Committee includes scientists, non-scientists, veterinarians, and members of the public to encourage representation of diverse viewpoints. This Committee has the responsibility to approve, to require modification of, or to prohibit a project’s use of vertebrate animals. Well-established procedures, similar to those used to monitor human subject research, are used for reviewing and monitoring animal research, education, and testing projects conducted under university auspices. Project proposals are scrutinized carefully by the review Committee and by a veterinary staff member specialized in laboratory animal medicine to ensure that humane use guidelines are followed and that animals receive professional veterinary medical care.

KUMC continues to fulfill its obligation to ensure that professional and technical personnel who work with animals are qualified through training and experience to perform these tasks humanely and in a scientifically appropriate manner. KUMC provides training in humane techniques of animal care and use to accomplish these purposes. All employees have the obligation to report anything they believe to be a failure to follow or a deviation from KUMC’s laboratory animal care standards. All employees are instructed how to make such a report and may do so anonymously.