2007 Annual Reports for Boards and Committees

Committee on Animal Research and Ethics

Members: Chair: Steven I. Dworkin. Members: Jennifer Higa, Theresa Jones, Robert Lickliter, Pamela Scott-Johnson and James K. Rowlett. APA Staff Liaison Sangeeta Panicker

In pursuit of its mission of promoting the ethically and scientifically sound research with nonhuman animals in psychological science, CARE’s primary focus in 2007 was outreach. This general goal was advanced in a number of ways that built on previous years’ progress.

Educational and informational programs to advance understanding and foster interest in the use of animals in teaching and research in psychology

CARE Video Series on the Importance of Laboratory Animal Research: CARE continued its development of a multi-part video series on the importance of laboratory animal research in psychology. Staff updated the Committee on the status of the videotape project. The Committee viewed and approved the final cuts of two new segments on: (i) the significance of touch--attachment and aggression, and (ii) clinical rehabilitation--recovery of function. Staff will develop study guides for both video segments.

Support of nonhuman animal research and scientists who work with laboratory animals

Survey on the Status of Laboratory Animal Research in Graduate Departments of Psychology: James Rowlett, who had volunteered to write a summary report on the results of the survey, was unable to attend the fall meeting. Review and further discussion of the survey is deferred until the spring 2008 meeting.

Enhancing Security of Laboratory Animal Facilities: CARE decided to add new sections to the CARE Lab Animal Research Emergency Guide that is available to members upon request and on the CARE website. The new information will include information on natural disaster plans, affordable options for enhancing lab security, and protection against infiltration.  Further discussion of these additions was tabled until the spring 2008 meeting.

Initiative on Mentoring: With funding through the Science Directorate’s Psy21 initiative and in collaboration with Divisions 6, 28, and 45 CARE continued its mentoring and professional development program called the CARE Imprinting Award (CIA), aimed at increasing graduate student and postdoc participation and involvement in APA. A total of 12 new applicants received a travel award (airfare, accommodations, and registration) to attend the APA Convention to make an informal oral presentation of their research to a group of established researchers and other graduate students or postdocs in their field. CARE also provided partial funding for two winners from the 2006 program to participate again in 2007. Attendees also participated in two hands on diversity training sessions. All 12 participants later completed an anonymous online survey of their experience, which they evaluated highly. All 12 indicated that they would recommend the program to a peer.  At its fall meeting, the Committee discussed plans for enhancing the program for the 2008 convention in Boston.

Workshops: The Committee discussed collaborating with BSA’s Ad Hoc Committee to Advance Responsible Research (CARR) to sponsor a two and a half day summer institute on responsible conduct of research in 2008.  One entire day of the institute will be devoted to research subject issues, viz. human research protections and laboratory animal welfare. The Committee will continue to work with CARR in developing this institute.

Policy and Regulation

Expiration dates for APA guidelines: The Committee decided to set expiration dates for its own guidelines in synchrony with the National Research Council’s (NRC) Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, which is the basis for PHS policy.  The Guide is up for revision every 10 years, so revision will be on CARE’s agenda at 10 year intervals. In the fall, the NRC announced that the 10-year-old Guide would undergo a substantive revision; accordingly, CARE decided to begin a revision of its guidelines for ethical conduct in the care and use of animals in 2008. A call for comments on the current guidelines was disseminated through The Monitor, the Psychological Science Agenda, and the Science Directorate web-site.

Resolution on Intelligent Design: A CARE proposed resolution rejecting Intelligent Design as science and reaffirming APA support for evolutionary theory was adopted by the Council of Representatives at its spring meeting.

Future plans and development of new initiatives

CARE generated a list of potential initiatives for the Committee and began to prioritize them. The short list includes:

  • Becoming more active in advocating for animal research both in Congress as well as with the public;

  • Working with the APA Monitor on Psychology to develop projects that highlight topics and individuals relevant to animal research within psychology;

  • Developing convention programming that partners distinguished senior researchers with “rising stars”

  • Collating the CARE videos and ethics education materials onto a DVD for free or at cost distribution;

  • Solicitation of ideas from divisions for additional ways in which to make the field more diverse, welcoming, and supportive

  • FAQs: The Committee discussed developing a resource on frequently asked questions about regulatory oversight.

Membership Changes

Steven Dworkin, Robert Lickliter, and James K. Rowlett, continued to serve on the Committee. Members joining CARE in 2007 were Robert Jennifer Higa and Pamela Scott-Johnson. Member Mary W. Meagher resigned before the end of her term and was replaced by Theresa Jones who completed her term in 2007. CARE elected Dr. Dworkin to serve as the Chair of CARE in 2007.