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• Research Committees
• Animal Oversight (IACUC)
• IACUC Policy and Procedures
• Three R's

The Three Rs

The IACUC endorses the application of the 3 Rs ( Reduction, Replacement and Refinement) concept to the minimization of pain and distress in animals. 

1. Reduction refers to reducing the number of test animals to the minimum consistent with the production of reliable information.
2. Replacement (also known as alternative methods) refers to the substitution of alternative living or non-living models for certain research (substitution of invertebrate species for vertebrate species or use of in vitro methods in place of in vivo methods.).
3. Refinement refers to any means used to decrease the incidence or severity of pain and distress in research animals. All three elements of the concept must be addressed in protocol submissions to the IACUC.

Multiple survival surgeries

Multiple survival surgeries on individual animals require explicit approval by IACUC. In general, multiple survival surgeries are discouraged but may be performed when necessary to complete a particular experiment and with appropriate safeguards.

Identification of Animals

All animal housing must be tagged with the protocol number to include the current annual review date and investigator's name, under which the activity is being maintained. Those animals that have been subjected to surgical treatments should be identified. Breeding animals should be identified appropriately to track lineage.

Policy regarding ascites production

Monoclonal antibodies are commonly produced from an ascites tumor induced in a mammal such as a mouse. The deliberate induction of a tumor, which in itself produces pain in the animal host, and various procedures often used to harvest repeatedly the antibody are considered to be inhumane. If there are no alternative techniques for the production of antibodies, use of this technique can clearly be justified by a sufficient expression of need alone. Although alternative in vitro techniques have been developed, there is presently no clear consensus concerning the balance of advantages and disadvantages of in vitro versus in vivo methods. Therefore, at this time, it is reasonable to continue the use of ascites tumors to produce monoclonal antibodies provided there is ample scientific justification to warrant this use of animals. Until such time as there is a consensus concerning in vitro techniques, it shall be the policy of the IACUC that:

Investigators who propose the production of monoclonal antibodies through ascites production are required to justify use of this technique over any of the available in vitro techniques or purchase of the monoclonal antibodies from a "core facility" such as that at The Johns Hopkins University where in vitro techniques are used. With proper scientific justification, the committee will continue to approve, on a case by case basis, protocols that include monoclonal antibody production from mouse ascites.

Special Activities

In some cases, it is necessary to maintain unique conditions as a part of a research protocol, e.g., photo-periods, radiation treatments, immuno-suppression. If such a laboratory area is not properly identified, and entry is made inappropriately, responsibility shall rest with the investigator not the inspecting authority.