Policy On The Use Of Live Vertebrate Animals In Research, Teaching And/Or Testing

The following represents the University’s current policy on the use of live vertebrate animals in research teaching and/or testing.

The study of vertebrate animals is an integral part of Yale University’s research and teaching missions in the biological and medical sciences. With the goal of advancing knowledge and promoting health, and in compliance with federal regulations, the University has adopted the following policy for the humane care and use of animals.

I. Compliance and review
Numerous laws and guidelines protect the welfare of animals used in biomedical research, teaching and/or testing at Yale and at other institutions. They include the federal Animal Welfare Act (7.U.S.C. 2131, et. seq.) and the US Public Health Service (PHS) Policy on Human Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. Yale University is committed to complying fully with all federal, state and local regulations regarding animal usage. Furthermore, Yale has voluntarily adopted the comprehensive standards outlined in the PHS Policy for humane animal care for all of its research projects involving vertebrate animals, regardless of funding source. In accordance with that policy, all proposals for the use of vertebrate animals in research, teaching, or testing must be approved by the Yale University Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC).

II. The Use of Live Vertebrate Animals in Research and/or Testing
Yale University’s guidelines for the use of live vertebrate animals in research and/or testing are designed to meet the following goals: to refine each procedure in order to minimize pain and distress; to reduce the number of animals used to the minimum needed to fulfill scientific objectives; and to replace animals with effective non-animal models when possible.

With these goals in mind and in compliance with federal regulations, the University requires that:

	Housing, feeding and care of vertebrate animals be directed by veterinarians or appropriately trained scientists,
	Veterinary medical care be available and provided by qualified veterinarians,
	Personnel conducting the procedures be trained and qualified in those procedures.

III. The use of Live Vertebrate Animals in Teaching
All faculty requests for the use of live vertebrate animals in teaching must first be approved by the department chairs and then by the IACUC.

Faculty members are responsible for determining the curriculum and for evaluating academic performance in all courses. If the satisfactory completion of a course will require the use of live vertebrate animals, students must be notified of that requirement during the first class meeting. If a student objects on ethical grounds to participating in the animal usage, it is his or her responsibility to discuss the matter with the faculty member in charge, and to withdraw from the course if the faculty member determines that no effective alternative can be arranged.

REVIEWED & APPROVED BY THE IACUC: 12/00

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Last Modified: November 24, 2003

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