Are transgenic animals – or research animals used in genetic engineering research – cared for and treated the same as other research animals?
Absolutely. Actually, transgenic animals are treated much better than usual because they are so rare and expensive. The Animal Welfare Act is a federal law that sets standards for the care and treatment of all research animals, including transgenic animals and those used in genetic engineering. The standards cover housing, feeding, cleanliness, ventilation and veterinary care. All facilities using laboratory animals covered under the Act must register with the Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), which also conducts random, unannounced facility inspections to ensure that institutions are compliance. The Act also mandates the use of anesthesia or painkilling drugs for potentially painful procedures and for postoperative care unless the research precludes it. The Act requires that each institution establish an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), which oversees and approves each proposed animal experiment as well as the instituti
Related Questions
- Are transgenic animals - or research animals used in genetic engineering research - cared for and treated the same as other research animals?
- What kinds of animals will be used in the research, where will they come from, and how will they be cared for?
- Doesn’t federal law ensure that animals used in research and testing are treated humanely?