Lab Animal Welfare

Historically, laboratory animal research has played a crucial role in the development of theory and research in virtually all sub-disciplines of psychology. Currently, knowledge gained through research with laboratory animals continues to provide answers to questions important to advancing the science of behavior and to improving the welfare of both humans and other animals.

Thus, APA has long been a strong advocate for the ethical and humane care and use of nonhuman animals in research. APA has and continues to support efforts to improve laboratory animal welfare through the implementation of policies and regulations that both maintain the integrity of the scientific research and sustain the welfare of such animals.

As is evident in both the APA Ethical Principles for Psychologists and Code of Conduct and in the Guidelines for Ethical Conduct in the Care and Use of Animals, developed by the APA Committee on Animal Research and Ethics (CARE), APA encourages researchers to use alternative procedures in order to avoid or reduce pain or stress to a lab animal, whenever possible.

Below is a brief listing of legislation and regulations that affect the conduct of research with laboratory animals.

• Animal Welfare Act
• Health Research Extension Act (1985)
• AVMA Guidelines on Euthanasia (2007) 
• NIH Revitalization Act (1993) (PDF, 29KB)
• PHS Policy (PDF, 205KB)
• The Guide
• USDA Policy Manual
• U.S. Govt. Principles

Resources that provide additional guidance on various laboratory animal research issues:

• APA Guidelines
• APA Guidelines (K-12) 
• ABS/ASAB Guidelines
• Guidelines for Neuroscience & Behavioral Research (NRC) (PDF, 5.45MB)
• Society for Neuroscience