ILAR Journal Online, Volume 32(4) 1990: Issues for Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees (IACUCs)

Online Issues

<< All Back-issues

<< This Issue's Table of Contents

ILAR Journal V32(4) 1990
Issues for Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees (IACUCs)

Society Resolution
The Importance of Animals in Biological Research
American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists

The following resolution was adopted unanimously by the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists (ASIH) at its 70th annual meeting, which was held June 18, 1990, in Charleston, South Carolina. It is reprinted with permission of the ASIH.

WHEREAS society as a whole, and the scientific community in particular, support and encourage research that will improve the well-being of humans and other animals, and improve our methods for sustaining biodiversity; and

WHEREAS the use of animals has been and continues to be essential in basic and applied research that furthers our understanding of biological and ecological processes (with direct application to humans, other animals, and ecosystems); and

WHEREAS the use of animals by students is and should continue to be an important component of science education, as long as it is appropriately supervised; and

WHEREAS the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists (ASIH) supports appropriate regulations and adequate funding to assure the humane treatment of animals in laboratory and field situations; and

WHEREAS the ASIH deplores harassment of scientists and technical personnel engaged in animal research as well as the destruction of animal facilities; and

WHEREAS the ASIH has long acknowledged the importance and endorsed the use of animal observations and experimentation in promoting human and animal welfare, in protecting biodiversity, and in advancing scientific knowledge; and

WHEREAS scientists bear several responsibilities regarding the conduct of research with animals including (1) providing proper care and treatment of their subjects consistent with the requirements of the particular study and research objectives, (2) being well informed about and adhering to relevant laws and regulations pertaining to animal research and collecting, (3) communicating respect for animal subjects to employees, students, and colleagues; therefore be it

RESOLVED that the ASIH continues to support the use of animals in scientific research, supports the efforts to improve animal welfare that do not include policies or regulations that would compromise scientific research or the conservation of biodiversity, and supports similar resolutions and efforts by other scientific societies promoting responsible animal research.