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Never do anything against conscience, even if the state demands it

Lab Animal volume 48, pages 276–277 (2019)Cite this article

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Academic research is a high stress environment, with pressure to meet deadlines, manage lab activity and personnel, and maintain regulatory compliance. As Dr. Martel, I would be very uncomfortable with actions of the dean and the external political demand placed on my research

If the dean is receptive, I would first voice my moral and ethical conflicts with moving to the nonhuman primate (NHP) model; however, if this argument fails, I would attempt to outline the additional risks and costs associated with NHP research (i.e., costs to renovate facilities and train care staff; costs of maintaining animals as well as rehoming or retirement costs for NHPs; and possible attention from activist groups). The dean should be aware that the IACUC will likely identify these same ethical and regulatory concerns and the final decision to approve the NHP research lies with the IACUC. Per the U.S. Animal Welfare Regulations1, institutional officials “may not approve an activity involving the care and use of animals if it has not been approved by the IACUC.”

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References

  1. Animal Welfare Act and Regulations Section 2.31.d.(8).

  2. Animal Welfare Act and Regulations Section 2.32.(4).

  3. Institute for Laboratory Animal Research. Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. 8th ed. (National Academies Press, Washington DC, 2011).

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  4. Animal Welfare Act and Regulations Section 2143.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA

    Jeremy DeRicco & Melanie Lucas

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  1. Jeremy DeRicco
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  2. Melanie Lucas
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Correspondence to Melanie Lucas.

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DeRicco, J., Lucas, M. Never do anything against conscience, even if the state demands it. Lab Anim 48, 276–277 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41684-019-0394-7

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