Science magazine recently published a brief article with an eye-grabbing headline: “U.S. labs using a record number of monkeys.” The article has a colorful graph to match, showing the number of monkeys in research over the past 10 of the 45 years that numbers are available. The article focuses almost exclusively on work funded by … Continue reading Numbers don’t tell the whole story: 2017 US Annual Report
Tag: USDA
FASEB report makes recommendations for animal research regulations
On October 24, a group of professional scientific organizations released a set of groundbreaking recommendations entitled, “Reforming Animal Research Regulations: Workshop Recommendations to Reduce Regulatory Burden.” This report is the result of an April 17, 2017 workshop organized by the organizations: The Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB), the Association of American Medical … Continue reading FASEB report makes recommendations for animal research regulations
The USDA’s removal of information about animal research is a step backwards for transparency
Speaking of Research has considerable concerns about the wealth of information that has been removed from the USDA website in the last week. The USDA has removed access to an online database that allowed the public to easily obtain documents involving the Horse Protection Act (HPA) and the Animal Welfare Act (AWA).This information includes the … Continue reading The USDA’s removal of information about animal research is a step backwards for transparency
Santa Cruz Biotechnology and the USDA
Speaking of Research have been troubled by the events which have unfolded at Santa Cruz Biotechnology (SCBT), including (but not limited to) the recent actions taken against the organization by the USDA. As an organization that strongly supports and advocates for the humane and responsible treatment of laboratory animals, Speaking of Research is critical of any organisation … Continue reading Santa Cruz Biotechnology and the USDA
USDA publishes 2015 Animal Research Statistics
Congratulations to the USDA/APHIS for getting ahead of the curve for a second time and making the US the first country to publish its 2015 animal research statistics. Overall, the number of animals (covered by the Animal Welfare Act) used in research fell 8% from 834,453 (2014) to 767,622 (2015). These statistics do not include … Continue reading USDA publishes 2015 Animal Research Statistics
When are rats, mice, birds and fish protected by US federal laws?
There is sometimes confusion about how US law protects rats, mice and non-mammalian vertebrates such as birds and fish. Much of this confusion is rooted in the fact that the US Animal Welfare Act (AWA) explicitly excludes purpose-bred rodents (rats of the genus Rattus rattus, mice of the genus Mus mus), as well as birds … Continue reading When are rats, mice, birds and fish protected by US federal laws?
Caveat Emptor
A current USDA case involving a major antibody producer underscores the need for the research community to demonstrate its commitment to high standards of animal welfare. On August 18-20, 2015, Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Inc. (SCBT) went before Administrative Law Judge Janice Bullard in Washington to rebut charges of Animal Welfare Act (AWA) violations at its … Continue reading Caveat Emptor
