At this time, animal studies are a necessary part of an integrated suite of methods used to collect data that will protect human health and the environment.
Ex vivo,
in vitro, and
in silico methods alone do not give full answers, nor do animal studies alone. Each method has drawbacks and new methods continue to be developed.
Army environmental programs work closely with the EPA to evaluate and remediate contaminated areas. In order to prioritize these tasks, it is necessary to know the toxicity of the various pollutants. EPA guidelines require certain animal tests to support proposed toxicity values.
Animal use is overseen by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and the US Army Animal Care and Use Review Office (ACURO). Animal use reports are submitted annually to Congress and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).
We are an institutional member of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS
), and accredited by AAALAC International.
Contact us for more information about the use of animal models.
Links:
JHSPH Alternatives to Animal Testing
Toxicology in the 21st Century
