Final Report on Reducing Administrative Burdens Associated with Research Involving Laboratory Animals
This report, called for in the 21st Century Cures Act, is the
culmination of more than two years of diligent work to address inconsistent and
overlapping policies governing oversight of research involving animals, while ensuring research findings remain
credible and research institutions safeguard animal welfare.
Regulations and
policies overseeing federally-sponsored research help ensure NIH remains a
responsible steward of public funds. This extends to properly enforcing the
public’s expectation on how laboratory animals will be used in biomedical
research, teaching, and testing. Many stakeholders have pointed out, rightfully
so in some cases, that with federal regulations comes increasing reporting
requirements which adversely affect research productivity without necessarily
improving animal welfare.
Experts from the USDA,
the FDA, and the NIH undertook much collaborative, thoughtful, and rigorous
deliberation to get us to this point. More on their process can be found here, here, and here. Their final report reflects,
incorporates, and analyzes diverse perspectives of more than 1,300 researchers,
animal welfare advocacy organizations, scientific professional societies,
members of the public, and others who commented on an earlier draft version.
Investigators, generally speaking, supported the report’s recommendations to
reduce various administrative hurdles. But, importantly, they were also
balanced with concerns raised by animal welfare organizati...
Source: NIH Extramural Nexus - Category: Research Authors: Mike Lauer Tags: blog Open Mike Administrative Burden Animal Welfare Source Type: funding