ILAR Journal Online, Volume 34(3) 1992: ILAR's Fortieth Anniversary

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ILAR Journal V34(3) 1992 [FORMERLY ILAR NEWS]
ILAR's Fortieth Anniversary

The Institute of Laboratory Animal Resources--Forty Years of Service

Dear Readers:

This year the Institute of Laboratory Animal Resources (ILAR) celebrates forty years of service to the scientific community. What began in July of 1952 as a conference devoted to improving "quality and quantity in test animals'' (ILAR News 1(1):2, 1957) has evolved into an organization recognized worldwide as a vital source of information about animal resources and as the leader in preparing guidelines and authoritative reports on the care and use of laboratory animals.

As animal care issues move into the political arena, the resources and services that ILAR provides have become increasingly important. ILAR's mission originally focused on improving procurement and production of laboratory animals. Greater knowledge about the care and use of laboratory animals and increased government and public scrutiny of laboratory animal care has expanded ILAR's original goals to encompass not only scientific and technical aspects of animal use, but also ethical issues surrounding the use of animals in research.

This issue of ILAR News includes an overview of ILAR committees and programs, their membership, and their work. From transgenic animals to the well-being of nonhuman primates, ILAR committees are confronting issues that impact the scientific community. In addition, ILAR News itself has proven an excellent forum for institutional animal care and use committee's (IACUC's) to explore issues by presenting commentary on controversial topics and providing information on alternatives and refinements to the use of animals in research, animal models, and experimental techniques. In addition to ILAR News, ILAR disseminates information through the Animal Models and Genetic Stocks Information Program (see description p. 36), which provides investigators with information of all kinds about animals in research, ranging from sources of animals to standardized nomenclature.

In keeping with the theme of resources, this issue includes an in depth look at the Biological Models and Materials Research (BMMR) Program of the National Center for Research Resources, National Institutes of Health, including detailed descriptions of projects funded and resources made available to the scientific community through this program.

On behalf of the ILAR staff and council, I would like to thank everyone who has contributed knowledge, ideas, expertise, and precious time, helping to make ILAR the valuable resource it is today. For those of you who are unfamiliar with ILAR, I invite you to take advantage of all that we have to offer. We look forward to another successful 40 years serving scientists, educators, and the public.

Steven P. Pakes, Chairman, ILAR Council

If you have questions or comments, or would like to know more about ILAR, contact the ILAR office at 2101 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20418. Tel: 202/334-2590; Fax: 202/334-1687.