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On June 9 and 10, 1994, Representatives from FASEB's
Constituent Societies convened the FASEB Consensus Conference on Animals
in Biomedical Research. Conferees developed the following Statement of
Principles, which has been adopted by the FASEB Board
The Federation of American Societies for Experimental
Biology (FASEB) affirms the essential contribution of animals in
research and education aimed at improving the health of both humans and
animals. The role of animals remains critical in understanding the
fundamental processes of life, and in developing treatments for injury
and disease. Members of the Constituent Societies of FASEB believe that
the use of animals in research and education is a privilege. This
imposes a major responsibility to provide for their proper care and
humane treatment. Good animal care and good science go hand-in-hand.
Therefore, the members of the Constituent Societies of
the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology support
the following principles:
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All work with animals shall be designed and
performed in consideration of its relevance to the improvement of
human or animal health and the advancement of knowledge for the good
of society.
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The acquisition, care and use of animals must be in
accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws and
regulations.
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Each institution is responsible for providing a
review procedure to insure that the use of animals in research and
education conforms to the highest ethical, humane and scientific
standards.
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The minimum number of appropriate animals required
to obtain valid results should be used. Good science demands
judicious choices of appropriate methods, such as animals, computer
simulations, or tissue and cell cultures.
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Animals shall be housed and maintained under
conditions appropriate to their species. Veterinary medical care
shall be available.
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Provision shall be made for the training and
education of all personnel involved in the care and use of animals.
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Sound scientific practice and humane considerations
require that animals receive sedation, analgesia or anesthesia when
appropriate. Animals should not be permitted to suffer severe or
chronic pain or distress unnecessarily; such animals should be
euthanized.
In supporting these principles, it becomes the
responsibility of the members of the Constituent Societies of FASEB to
educate the public about the role of animals in understanding life
processes and disease, and their vital contribution to human and animal
health.
End of Statement
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