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Date: May 29, 2009
Contacts: Jennifer Walsh, Media Relations Officer
Alison Burnette, Media Relations Assistant
Office of News and Public Information
202-334-2138; e-mail <news@nas.edu>
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dealers That Purchase And Resell Animals Not Necessary for NIH-Funded Research
WASHINGTON -- It is not necessary for researchers funded by the National Institutes of Health to acquire "random source" dogs and cats -- which come from the general animal population -- from Class B dealers that purchase and resell animals, says a new report from the National Research Council. Alternative sources are available to meet NIH-funded research needs, including direct acquisition from pounds and shelters, donation programs, cooperative pre-clinical trials, Class A dealers that breed animals on their premises, NIH-supported resource and research development, and existing NIH-supported and privately owned colonies.
More than 1,000 Class B dealers exist, which include pet distributors, but only 11 can acquire and sell live dogs and cats classified as random source for research. Yet, not all 11 dealers provide live animals for NIH research, and random source animals can be obtained from other resources besides Class B dealers. However, the demand for and use of random source animals in research has declined over the past 30 years. The declining trend suggests that the Class B dealer system may eventually become unavailable.
The report says under some circumstances, random source dogs and cats may be desirable or necessary for NIH-funded research, because they provide a genetically diverse study group; are models for research on naturally occurring diseases such as cancer, infectious diseases, and age-related diseases; and can exhibit characteristics that may not be available in animals bred specifically for research.
The report was sponsored by the National Institutes of Health. The National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, Institute of Medicine, and National Research Council make up the National Academies. They are independent, nonprofit institutions that provide science, technology, and health policy advice under an 1863 congressional charter. Committee members, who serve pro bono as volunteers, are chosen by the Academies for each study based on their expertise and experience and must satisfy the Academies' conflict-of-interest standards. The resulting consensus reports undergo external peer review before completion. For more information, visit http://national-academies.org/studycommitteprocess.pdf. A committee roster follows.
Copies of Scientific and Humane Issues in the Use of Random Source Dogs and Cats in Research are available from the National Academies Press; tel. 202-334-3313 or 1-800-624-6242 or on the Internet at http://www.nap.edu. Reporters may obtain a copy from the Office of News and Public Information (contacts listed above).
[ This news release and report are available at http://national-academies.org ]
NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL
Division on Earth and Life Studies
Institute for Laboratory Animal Research
Committee on Scientific and Humane Issues in the Use of Random Source Dogs and Cats for Research
Stephen W. Barthold* (chair)
Professor of Medical Pathology, and
Director
Center for the Comparative Medicine
Schools of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine
University of California
Davis
Donald C. Bosler
Associate Professor
Department of Physiological Sciences
College of Veterinary Medicine
University of Florida
Gainesville
Kelly D. Garcia
Clinical Veterinarian
Biological Resources Laboratory
University of Illinois
Chicago
Joseph R. Haywood
Professor and Chair
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Michigan State University
East Lansing
Stuart E. Leland
Director
BioResources
Wyeth Research
Princeton, N.J.
Lila Miller
Vice President of Veterinary Outreach
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
New York City
Randall J. Nelson
Professor of Anatomy and Neurobiology, and
Associate Vice Chancellor for Research
Health Sciences Center
University of Tennessee
Memphis
James Serpell
Marie A. Moore Professor of Humane Ethics and Animal Welfare
Department of Clinical Medicine
School of Veterinary Medicine
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia
Michael R. Talcott
Director
Veterinary Surgical Services
Division of Comparative Medicine, and
Research Assistant Professor of Surgery
School of Medicine
Washington University
St. Louis, Mo.
Robert A. Whitney
U.S. Public Health Services (retired)
Steilacoom, Wash.
RESEARCH COUNCIL STAFF
Christine Henderson
Study Director
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