ILAR - Books & Reports

Books and Reports

Recognition and Alleviation of Distress in Laboratory Animals (2008)

The first in a two-part update of ILAR's 1992 report, Recognition and Alleviation of Distress in Laboratory Animals, focuses on the distress experienced by animals used in laboratory research. This book aims to educate laboratory animal veterinarians, students, and researchers, animal care staff, and animal welfare officers on the current scientific and ethical issues associated with stress and distress in laboratory animals. The report evaluates pertinent scientific literature and generates practical and pragmatic guidelines for the recognition, alleviation, and minimization of distress for animals in the laboratory setting.

Copies may be preordered from National Academies Press.

Guidelines for the Humane Transportation of Research Animals (2006)

Transporting research animals is a necessary part of the biomedical enterprise that can have substantial effects on the physiological and psychological condition of the animals. Individuals at research facilities often find arranging transportation of animals a challenge. In order to address a plethora of sometimes confusing and burdensome regulations pertaining to transportation of research animals, this report recommends that an interagency working group be established to coordinate federal inspections and permitting activities. It further recommends that steps be taken to ensure the availability of safe, reliable air and ground transportation for research animals. The report also establishes science-based good practices for transporting research animals and advises that research institutions designate a single individual to be responsible for ensuring safe shipment and receipt of animals.

Click here to view report. Copies may be purchased from National Academies Press.

Science, Medicine, and Animals (2004)

Diseases cause a staggering amount of suffering and death in both people and animals. As a result, human society has committed itself to alleviating this suffering. Toward this goal, biomedical research has included the use of animals as one component of research to understand, treat, and cure many human and animal diseases. Animals develop many of the same diseases as people, including hemophilia, diabetes, and epilepsy. Animals and humans are also susceptible to many of the same bacteria and viruses, such as anthrax, smallpox, and malaria. Because animals share so many health risks and issues with humans, they can be useful models for understanding illness and how to treat it.

Science, Medicine, and Animals discusses how animals have been and continue to be an important component of biomedical research. It addresses the history of animal research and what it looks like today, and gives an overview of some of the medical advances that would not have been possible without animal models. Finally, it looks at the regulations and oversight governing animal use, as well as efforts to use animals more humanely and efficiently.

Click here to view report. Copies may be purchased from National Academies Press. This publication has been specially priced for bulk orders.

The Development of Science-Based Guidelines for Laboratory Animal Care: Proceedings of the November 2003 International Workshop (2004)

The purpose of this workshop was to bring together experts from around the world to assess the available scientific knowledge that can affect the current and pending guidelines for laboratory animal care. The workshop consisted of presentations and discussions focused on identifying gaps in the current knowledge in order to encourage future research endeavors, assessing potential financial and outcome costs of unscientifically-based regulations on facilities and research, and determining possible negative impacts of arbitrary regulations on animal welfare.

The importance of how performance standards provide flexibility to the changing needs of science and animal welfare was emphasized. The case for and against harmonization of standards and guidelines was presented by speakers with a variety of perspectives. Workshop faculty presented these issues from a scientific perspective. A forum for discussion and input was provided.

Click here to view report. Copies may be purchased from National Academies Press.

National Need and Priorities for Veterinarians in Biomedical Research (2004)

The National Need and Priorities for Veterinarians in Biomedical Research report identifies various factors which contributed to creating an unfulfilled need for veterinarians in the biomedical research workforce, including an increase in the number of NIH grants utilizing animals and the burgeoning use of transgenic rodents, without a comparable change in the supply of appropriately-trained veterinarians. The committee developed strategies for recruiting more veterinarians into careers in biomedical research.

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Guidelines for the Care and Use of Mammals in Neuroscience and Behavioral Research (2003)
Expanding on the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, the Guidelines for the Care and Use of Mammals in Neuroscience and Behavioral Research provides current best practices for animal care and use and discusses how the regulations and guidelines provided by the Guide, the Animal Welfare Act, the Animal Welfare Act Regulations, and PHS Policy can be applied to neuroscience and behavioral research. The book treats the development, evaluation, and implementation of animal-use protocols as a decision-making process, not just a decision. It encourages the use of professional judgment and careful interpretation of regulations and guidelines to develop performance standards that ensure animal well-being and high-quality research. This book will be an indispensable resource for researchers, veterinarians, and institutional animal care and use committees.

Click here to view report. Copies may be purchased from National Academies Press.

International Perspectives: The Future of Nonhuman Primate Resources. Proceedings of the Workshop Held April 17-19, 2002 (2003)
Nonhuman primates (NHP) continue to play an important role in the research of many human diseases such as malaria and AIDS. Changes in the need for different species of NHP, the adequacy of the current supply of NHP, and projections on future needs for NHP are issues that concern scientists, veterinarians, and funding authorities from countries that are major users of NHP, as well as countries that produce and supply these animals. ILAR took advantage of its unique position within the national and international research community to organize and host a workshop to focus attention on these issues. Participants from all over the world gathered in Washington, DC to discuss current shortfalls and excesses in NHP breeding and exportation programs, the status of breeding and conservation programs internationally, the development of specific pathogen free colonies, difficulties in transporting NHP, and challenges in the management of NHP colonies.

Click here to view report. Copies may be purchased from National Academies Press.

Occupational Health and Safety in the Care and Use of Nonhuman Primates (2003)
The field of occupational health and safety constantly changes, especially as it pertains to biomedical research. New infectious hazards are of particular importance at nonhuman-primate facilities. For example, the discovery that B virus can be transmitted via a splash on a mucous membrane raises new concerns that must be addressed, as does the discovery of the Reston strain of Ebola virus in import quarantine facilities in the U.S. The risk of such infectious hazards is best managed through a flexible and comprehensive Occupational Health and Safety Program (OHSP) that can identify and mitigate potential hazards.

The Occupational Health and Safety in the Care and Use of Nonhuman Primates is intended as a reference for vivarium managers, veterinarians, researchers, safety professionals, and any other persons who are involved in developing or implementing an OHSP dealing with nonhuman primates. This report attempts to list the important features of an OHSP and provide the tools necessary for informed decision-making in developing an optimal program that meets all particular institutional needs.

Click here to view report. Copies may be purchased from National Academies Press.

Definition of Pain and Distress and Reporting Requirements for Laboratory Animals: Proceedings of the Workshop Held June 22, 2000
The aim of this joint ILAR/NIH workshop, Definition of Pain and Distress and Reporting Requirements for Laboratory Animals, was to provide feedback from the scientific community to the USDA regarding the lack of a functional definition of "distress" as well as the efficacy of continuing to use current categories to report pain and distress. The speakers' areas of expertise and perspectives ranged from scientific research to animal welfare policy, protocol review, and relevant organizations or institutions.

Click here to view report. Copies may be purchased from National Academies Press.

Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals 7th ed.
The Guide is intended to assist IACUCs, researchers, and veterinarians in fulfilling their obligation to plan, conduct, and oversee animal experiments in accordance with the highest scientific, humane, and ethical principles.The Guide makes recommendations for humane animal care and use based on published data, scientific principles, expert opinion, and experience with methods and practices proven consistent with high-quality, humane animal care and use.

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To Request One Free Copy:
E-mail OLAW at OLAW@od.nih.gov.

To Purchase Multiple Copies
Contact: National Academies Press at www.nap.edu
Phone: 888-624-8373 or 202-334-3313
Fax: 202-334-2451

Laboratory Animal Management Series (1996)
As a companion to the Guide, the Laboratory Animal Management Series provides recommendations on husbandry, care, breeding, regulation, and more for many laboratory animal species such as the rodent and dog. Both the Guide and the Laboratory Animal Management Series are updated periodically.

Click here to view report. Copies may be purchased from National Academies Press.

Principles and Guidelines for the Use of Animals in Precollege Education (Brochure in PDF)
To help schools implement changes to their programs in response to societal concerns, ILAR has written 10 principles for the use of animals in precollege science projects that provide explicit guidance on planning, supervision, animal care, and avoidance of pain and discomfort.

To request copies of Principles and Guidelines for the Use of Animals in Precollege Education at no cost, use ILAR's online Publication Request Form, or e-mail ILAR at ILAR@nas.edu

Check out ILAR Journal online as well. Many back issues can be ordered or read online.

Below is a list of other ILAR reports. Most can be read online or ordered from National Academies Press at www.nap.edu

Other National Academies Publications of Interest