Posted: December 22, 2011

The Institute of Medicine (IOM) of the National Academy of Sciences has published “Chimpanzees in Biomedical and Behavioral Research: Assessing the Necessity”.  At the request of the NIH and in response to congressional inquiry, the IOM, in collaboration with the National Research Council, conducted an in-depth analysis of the scientific necessity of chimpanzees for NIH-funded biomedical and behavioral research. The committee evaluated ongoing biomedical and behavioral research to determine whether chimpanzees are necessary for research discoveries. The committee described chimpanzees’ unique attributes in order to determine when to use chimpanzees in biomedical and behavioral research. NIH has accepted the recommendations of the IOM and has announced its plans for implementation of the recommendations in NOT-OD-12-025.

Posted: December 20, 2011

The Office of Health and Safety of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is presenting the “12^th International Symposium on Biosafety” on February 11-15, 2012 in Atlanta, Georgia. The focus of this symposium is “Sustainability: People, Practices, Planet.” The symposium will be preceded by two days of preconference courses. For program, registration, and accommodation information, visit http://www.eagleson.org/cdc. 

Posted: December 13, 2011

Annual reports for the period January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2011 are due to OLAW by January 31, 2012. The Public Health Service (PHS) Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (Policy) requires institutions to submit a written report to OLAW at least once every 12 months.

Information to be reported consists of any change in the institution’s program of animal care and use, any change in the Institutional Official or IACUC membership, the dates that the IACUC conducted its semiannual evaluations of the program and facilities, and any minority view by an IACUC member. Only 3 attachments can be included with the annual report:

• Roster of the IACUC members (only if there has been a change to the membership)
• Summary of any program changes (see PHS Policy IV.A.1.a.-i.)
• Any minority view by an IACUC member

Please do not send semiannual reports with the annual report unless they include a minority view (see OLAW FAQ C6).

Resources
An updated sample annual report can be found at the Annual Report to OLAW webpage. For additional information, view the OLAW Online Seminar - The OLAW Annual Report: What You Need to Know (Flash).

Submit
Fax completed annual reports to 301-915-9478 or 301-915-9483. Reports can also be converted to a PDF file and e-mailed to olawarp@mail.nih.gov.

Questions?
If you have any questions, please contact OLAW at 301-496-7163 or e-mail olawdoa@mail.nih.gov.

Posted: December 5, 2011

NIH has determined to adopt the 8^th Edition of the Guide and OLAW has changed the topic of upcoming webinars to bring you the latest information. Join us online December 8, 2011 for NIH Adopts 8th Edition of the Guide: A Discussion, presented by Dr. Patricia Brown, OLAW Director and moderated by Jerry Collins and Susan Silk.

• IO Seminar - Noon to 1 pm (ET) - Participation in the IO webinar is free and is limited to IOs at PHS Assured institutions.
• IACUC Staff Seminar - 2 to 3 pm (ET) - Participation in the IACUC Staff webinar is free and is limited to one connection per PHS Assured institution. If your institution is not already enrolled, consider enrolling a representative to arrange viewing of the seminars for a group at your institution.

Enrollment is valid for the entire seminar series, but pre-registration is required to attend each event. Prior to each webinar, enrollees will receive an e-mail invitation with the registration information. 

The Grants Policy and Congruence webinars originally planned for this date will be rescheduled.

Posted: December 2, 2011

Due to the late release on December 1 of the Federal Register Notice (PDF) announcing NIH’s adoption of the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals: Eighth Edition (Guide) , the comment period on OLAW Position Statements has been extended to January 30, 2012.

Posted: December 1, 2011

The NIH has issued a Federal Register Notice (PDF) announcing its adoption of the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals: Eighth Edition (Guide)  effective January 1, 2012. The notice:

• provides the adoption and implementation plan for the 8th Edition of the Guide;
• provides Position Statements to clarify how the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) expects Assured institutions to implement the Guide and announces a comment period for the public to comment on their understanding of the Position Statements; and
• announces that public comments on the 8th Edition of the Guide collected in spring 2011 and OLAW’s analysis of those comments are available on the OLAW website at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw/2011guidecomments/web_listing.htm.

OLAW has developed the Adoption of the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals: Eighth Edition webpage that provides the Position Statements (with links to comment), resources for implementing the Guide, and listing of public comments on adoption of the Guide all in one location.

Posted: December 1, 2011

OLAW has updated the sample Interinstitutional Assurance document, formerly known as the Interinstitutional Agreement. Changes to the document clarify essential information, list institutional responsibilities, and define required elements. Institutions that submit Assurances after January 1, 2012 are asked to follow the format of the revised sample Interinstitutional Assurance.

For more information, see NOT-OD-12-021 and the Interinstitutional Assurance webpage.

Posted: November 14, 2011

The Scientists Center for Animal Welfare (SCAW) will present the 2011 Winter Conference – “IACUC Responsibility and Compliance: New Guide Changes” – on December 5 and 6, 2011 in San Antonio, Texas. The two day conference is for IACUC members and administrators, principal investigators, attending veterinarians, regulatory personnel and laboratory animal care staff. The program will provide key findings and advances in research animal welfare and explore policy and management issues related to IACUCs.

Posted: November 1, 2011

Visit the Guidance section on the OLAW website for updated Commentary on Lab Animal Protocol Review columns. “A word from USDA and OLAW” responds to the topic “Quick action for an injured mouse” in the November 2011 issue.

Click to download the column: Lab Animal 2011; 40(11). (PDF - 179 KB)

To further explore this and other topics, browse the OLAW Topic Index. For additional information, visit OLAW.

Posted: October 21, 2011

The IACUC Administrators Association will be presenting two Best Practices Meetings in State College, PA this fall: November 9-10, 2011 and November 30-December 1, 2011. These meetings are for IACUC staff and animal program operations personnel to present and share best practices in the humane care and use of laboratory animals. Program information can be found on the OLAW website under Workshops and Conferences.

Posted: September 28, 2011

Guidance for the Description of Animal Research in Scientific Publications  
Authors: Institute for Laboratory Animal Research; National Research Council

The publication of research articles involving animal studies is central to many disciplines in science and biomedicine. Guidance for the Description of Animal Research in Scientific Publications outlines the information that should be included in scientific papers regarding the animal studies to ensure that the study can be replicated. The report urges journal editors to actively promote effective and ethical research by encouraging the provision of sufficient information. Download the PDF Summary (PDF).

Posted: September 23, 2011

Visit the Guidance section on the OLAW website for updated Commentary on Lab Animal Protocol Review columns. “A word from OLAW and USDA” responds to the topic “Managing a pending IBC approval” in the October 2011 issue.

Click to download the column: Lab Animal 2011; 40(10). (PDF - 171 KB)

Posted: September 21, 2011

An IACUC 101 Workshop will be held on October 26, 2011 followed by “A Walk on the Wild Side: A Conference on IACUC Oversight of Wildlife Research” on October 27-28, 2011 in Albuquerque, NM.

IACUC 101 is a one-day didactic and interactive exploration of IACUC fundamentals appropriate for new and experienced IACUC members, IACUC affiliates, and individuals responsible for their institution's animal care program. The course provides a basic yet comprehensive overview of the laws, regulations, and policies that govern the humane care and use of research animals.

A Walk on the Wild Side: A Conference on IACUC Oversight of Wildlife Research is a two-day conference that will provide a unique opportunity for discussion and exploration of jurisdictions, regulations, and best practices for oversight of  wildlife research.

Program information – For program, registration and accommodation information, see http://mysite.verizon.net/iacuc101/ .

The Ornithological Council and the American Society of Mammalogists will host the program with support from the New Mexico Consortium, USDA Forest Service Research and Development, NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service, National Science Foundation, NIH OLAW, and USDA APHIS Animal Care, and AAALAC International.

Posted: September 14, 2011

Meeting the Information Requirements of the Animal Welfare Act: A Workshop

The USDA Animal Welfare Information Center (AWIC) teaches a one and a half day workshop at the National Agricultural Library (NAL) in Beltsville, Maryland for individuals who are responsible for providing information to meet the requirements of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA). The workshop is targeted for principal investigators, members of IACUCs, information providers, administrators of animal use programs, and veterinarians.

Course objectives are to provide:

• Overview of the AWA and its information requirements
• Review of the alternatives concept
• Introduction to NAL, AWIC and other organizations
• Instruction on the use of existing information databases/networks
• On-line database searching experience

Posted: September 2, 2011

OLAW has updated the Training Materials webpage. New additions to the page include a Spanish version of the “Working Safely with Nonhuman Primates” video plus the “Mouse & Rat Humane Restraint and Experimental Techniques” CD developed by the NIH Office of Animal Care and Use. Information about how to download or order these new training materials can be found on the OLAW homepage under Resources, or go to http://grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw/TrainingVideos.htm.

Posted: August 15, 2011

The Scientists Center for Animal Welfare (SCAW) will present an IACUC Training Workshop on September 19, 2011 in Atlanta, GA. SCAW developed this one day educational workshop for experienced Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) members and administrators, principal investigators, attending veterinarians, regulatory personnel and laboratory animal care staff. The program focuses on topics such as advanced protocol review and provides opportunities for small discussion groups and sharing of information among participants.

Posted: August 11, 2011

IACUC 101 and 201 PLUS Workshops will be held on September 14 and 15, 2011 in Houston, TX. The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center will host the programs with support from NIH OLAW, USDA APHIS Animal Care, and AAALAC International.

IACUC 101 is a one-day didactic and interactive exploration of IACUC fundamentals appropriate for new and seasoned IACUC members, IACUC affiliates, and individuals responsible for their institution's animal care program. The course provides a basic yet comprehensive overview of the laws, regulations, and policies that govern the humane care and use of research animals.

IACUC 201 PLUS is highly interactive advanced program that builds upon the fundamentals learned in IACUC 101, applying them to the process and mechanisms of ensuring compliance.  The program includes six workshops delivered to three audience tracks based on IACUC role, responsibility, and interests. Workshops address protocol review, program review, facility inspection plus additional timely topics. The program also includes a complex faculty scenario that combines multiple IACUC challenges.

Program information – For program, registration and accommodation information, see https://www.123signup.com/event?id=vsrpg. 

Posted: August 9, 2011

OLAW has developed a new online resource – Reporting Noncompliance – to assist PHS awardee institutions in meeting the reporting requirements of the PHS Policy. Here you will find guidance on reporting, how to submit a report, what to provide in the report (including an example), plus where to go for more information. The Reporting Noncompliance webpage can be found on the OLAW homepage under Fast Facts.

Posted: July 22, 2011

Visit the Guidance section on the OLAW website for updated Commentary on Lab Animal Protocol Review columns. “A word from OLAW” responds to the topic “Power struggle between part-time employees” in the August 2011 issue.

Click to download the column: Lab Animal 2011; 40(8). (PDF - 209 KB)

Posted: July 20, 2011

The Office of Research Integrity (ORI), HHS, Quest for Research Excellence 2011 Conference will be held August 29-30, 2011 at the Georgetown University Hotel and Conference Center, Washington DC. This conference will bring together educators of responsible conduct of research and researchers of research integrity with representatives from professional societies, funding agencies and regulators. Fill your tool bags with resources for building institutional environments of integrity and ideas for the future research directions.

Posted: July 12, 2011

AVMA members are invited to review and comment on the second of three parts of a draft of revisions to the AVMA Guidelines on Euthanasia. Because the draft is lengthy, it is being posted for comment on the AVMA website in three parts over a several week period. Part three of the draft will be posted on July 15. The three parts of the document include: Part 1: Preface and General Considerations; Part 2: Methods of Euthanasia; and Part 3: Species and Environments. Each of the three parts has multiple sections. AVMA members may comment on as many sections of the draft as they wish. Comments may be submitted through August 1, 2011 at http://www.avma.org/issues/animal_welfare/euthanasia_guidelines/default.asp. 

Posted: July 6, 2011

The 45^th Congress of the International Society for Applied Ethology (ISAE) will be held July 31 to August 4, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. A truly international forum, the congress will attract researchers, educators, students and policy-makers with diverse yet common interests from around the globe, to disseminate, gather and discuss vital information on the well-being and behavior of companion, farm, laboratory, wildlife and zoo animals and their interface with society. The theme for this year’s program is “Scientific evaluation of behavior, welfare and enrichment.” Program and registration information can be found at http://www.ars.usda.gov/meetings/ISAE2011/.

Posted: June 30, 2011

An IACUC 101 Workshop will be held on August 11, 2011 in Des Moines, IA. The Des Moines University will host the program with support from NIH OLAW, USDA APHIS Animal Care, and AAALAC International.

IACUC 101 is a one-day didactic and interactive exploration of IACUC fundamentals appropriate for new and seasoned IACUC members, IACUC affiliates, and individuals responsible for their institution's animal care program. The course provides a basic yet comprehensive overview of the laws, regulations, and policies that govern the humane care and use of research animals.

Posted: June 29, 2011

Spineless Wonders: Welfare and Use of Invertebrates in the Laboratory and Classroom 
Scientific Editor: Stephen A. Smith

Posted: June 28, 2011

AVMA members are invited to review and comment on the first of three parts of a draft of revisions to the AVMA Guidelines on Euthanasia. Because the draft is lengthy, it will be posted for comment on the AVMA website in three parts over a several week period. The three parts of the document include: Part 1: Preface and General Considerations; Part 2: Methods of Euthanasia; and Part 3: Species and Environments. Each of the three parts has multiple sections. AVMA members may comment on as many sections of the draft as they wish. Comments may be submitted through August 1, 2011 at http://www.avma.org/issues/animal_welfare/euthanasia_guidelines/default.asp. 

Posted: June 10, 2011

A recording of the OLAW IACUC Staff Online Seminar, “Writing a Good Assurance”, held June 9, 2011 has been posted on the OLAW website. The seminar recording and supporting materials can be found on the Education Resources page.

Posted: June 10, 2011

The NIH has announced in Guide Notice NOT-OD-11-082 that the public comment period on the proposed adoption and implementation of the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals: Eighth Edition closed on May 24, 2011. OLAW is now reviewing comments submitted during the public comment period. When a thoughtful and in-depth analysis has been completed, comments will be posted on the OLAW website. Also at that time, OLAW will issue position statement(s) that will be posted on the OLAW website and a 60 day public comment period will commence to permit the public to provide feedback regarding their understanding of the position statement(s). If OLAW decides to adopt the eighth edition of the Guide, an updated implementation plan will be posted on the OLAW website.

Posted: June 3, 2011

A new All About Grants Podcast produced by the NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) features Dr. Pat Brown, Director, OLAW, who explains what must be included in your grant application if you use vertebrate animals in your research. Listen to Writing Your Vertebrate Animal Section (MP3) or read the transcript (HTML).

Posted: May 27, 2011

The Scientists Center for Animal Welfare (SCAW) will present an IACUC Training Workshop on July 15, 2011 in St. Louis, MO. SCAW developed this one day educational workshop for experienced Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) members and administrators, principal investigators, attending veterinarians, regulatory personnel and laboratory animal care staff. The program focuses on topics such as advanced protocol review and provides opportunities for small discussion groups and sharing of information among participants.

Posted: May 17, 2011

The University of Pittsburgh will present a regional workshop – Updating the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals – on June 2, 2011 in Pittsburgh, PA. This one day educational workshop will explore the changes to the Guide and help Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) members, research faculty and laboratory managers understand and comply with the new requirements and recommendations.

There is no fee for this workshop. However, registration is required, and space is limited. More information can be found at http://www.theguide2011.pitt.edu/index.htm. 

Posted: April 21, 2011

The NIH has announced in Guide Notice NOT-OD-11-066 that the public comment period on the proposed adoption and implementation of the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals: Eighth Edition has been extended an additional 30 days, closing May 24, 2011. Also, character limits on the comment form fields have been removed. If the character limit prevented you from submitting your entire comment, please re-submit before the deadline. This announcement will also be published as an update in the Federal Register.

All comments should be entered at: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw/2011guidecomments/add.htm.

Posted: April 20, 2011

The CIOMS-ICLAS project committee to review the 1985 International Guiding Principles for Biomedical Research Involving Animals (CIOMS Principles) requests your feedback and comments on a 2011 draft of the guiding principles. You can find more information about the project and the revised principles at http://ora.msu.edu/ICLAS/index.html.  Submit your comments at http://ora.msu.edu/ICLAS/submit.html.  The closing date for submission of comments is July 1, 2011.

Posted: April 18, 2011

The Scientists Center for Animal Welfare (SCAW) will present an IACUC Training Workshop on May 13, 2011 in Boston, MA. SCAW developed this one day educational workshop for experienced Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) members and administrators, principal investigators, attending veterinarians, regulatory personnel and laboratory animal care staff. The program focuses on topics such as advanced protocol review and provides opportunities for small discussion groups and sharing of information among participants.

Posted: April 13, 2011

Animal Models of Aging: Something Old, Something New 
Scientific Editor: Richard L. Sprott

Posted: April 8, 2011

The continuing resolution to fund Federal government operations expires at midnight EDT on Friday, April 8, 2011. Given the uncertainties related to the National Institutes of Health’s appropriation, OLAW is planning for the potential lapse in Federal government funding. As part of the OLAW plans, we are providing the following information to answer questions you may have on the impact such a lapse in appropriation will have on your Animal Welfare Assurance and the availability of OLAW systems and services.

In the event of a lapse in Federal government funding, the following activities will be impacted until appropriations are enacted:

• information on the OLAW website will not be available and will not be updated;
• OLAW news distributed via RSS feed or LISTSERV will cease;
• correspondence submitted via the OLAW e-mail addresses will not be accepted;
• correspondence sent via delivery services or courier will not be accepted;
• correspondence sent via the US Postal Service will be delivered but will not be processed; and
• OLAW will not be able to respond to inquiries via telephone, e-mail or fax.

In the event of a funding lapse, Assured institutions are encouraged to delay sending all Assurance documents, preliminary or final reports of noncompliance or IACUC suspensions as required under PHS Policy IV.F.3, or other correspondence due during the funding hiatus period until after operations resume. OLAW will extend deadlines for all reporting activities as necessary to compensate for the period of the lapse in appropriations and the unavailability of the website and OLAW operational support.

Institutions are reminded that their obligation under their Animal Welfare Assurance to ensure ongoing local support and oversight and to address and correct all situations that affect animal welfare and compliance with the PHS Policy continues during this period.

Posted: April 7, 2011

Meeting the Information Requirements of the Animal Welfare Act: A Workshop

The USDA Animal Welfare Information Center (AWIC) teaches a one and a half day workshop at the National Agricultural Library (NAL) in Beltsville, Maryland for individuals who are responsible for providing information to meet the requirements of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA). The workshop is targeted for principal investigators, members of IACUCs, information providers, administrators of animal use programs, and veterinarians.

Course objectives are to provide:

• Overview of the AWA and its information requirements
• Review of the alternatives concept
• Introduction to NAL, AWIC and other organizations
• Instruction on the use of existing information databases/networks
• On-line database searching experience

Posted: April 4, 2011

IACUC 101 and 201 PLUS Workshops will be held May 18-19, 2011 in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Society for Biomedical Research (PSBR) will host the programs with support from NIH OLAW, USDA APHIS Animal Care, and AAALAC International.

IACUC 101 is a one-day didactic and interactive exploration of IACUC fundamentals appropriate for new and seasoned IACUC members, IACUC affiliates, and individuals responsible for their institution's animal care program. The course provides a basic yet comprehensive overview of the laws, regulations, and policies that govern the humane care and use of research animals.

IACUC 201 PLUS is a highly interactive advanced program that builds upon the fundamentals learned in IACUC 101, applying them to the process and mechanisms of ensuring compliance. The program includes six workshops delivered to three audience tracks based on IACUC role, responsibility, and interests. Workshops address protocol review, program review, facility inspection plus additional timely topics. The program also includes a complex faculty scenario that combines multiple IACUC challenges.

Program information – For program, registration, and accommodation information, see https://www.123signup.com/event?id=vznjf. 

Posted: March 29, 2011

On March 29, 2011, the NIH published a Federal Register Notice of Extension of Public Comment Period (PDF) on NIH’s proposed adoption and implementation of the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals: Eighth Edition (Guide). The comment period is extended by 30 days and will now close on April 24, 2011. All comments should be entered at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw/2011guidecomments/add.htm.

See also: NIH Guide Notice NOT-OD-11-056 and February 24, 2011 Federal Register Notice (PDF).

The 2011 Guide is available free for download (PDF - 1.2 MB) and may be viewed or purchased from the National Academies Press at http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12910. 

Posted: March 22, 2011

OLAW is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Barton Weick to the position of Animal Welfare Program Specialist, Division of Compliance Oversight. Dr. Weick comes to OLAW with thirty-eight years of experience in biomedical research involving animals. He obtained his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree, and Masters and Doctoral degrees in Physiology from Washington State University, College of Veterinary Medicine. He is a Diplomate of the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine. In 1984, Dr. Weick came to the NIH to work in the Experimental Therapeutics Branch, NINDS, with funding from the Pharmacology Research Associate Training Program, NIGMS. In 1989, he began his lab animal medicine training in the Animal Health and Care Section, NINDS. He served as the Animal Program Director for NIDA in 2000 and most recently for NIDCR starting in 2007. While at NIH, he served as Attending Veterinarian on animal care and use committees at NINDS, NCI, NHGRI, NIDA and NIDCR. He is currently a Commissioned Officer with the U.S. Public Health Service.

Posted: March 21, 2011

Guidance to Reduce Regulatory Burden for IACUC Administration Regarding Alternate Members and Approval Dates has been published in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts on March 18, 2011, NOT-OD-11-053. This Notice updates the provisions of NOT-OD-01-017 and provides guidance to PHS awardee institutions and IACUCs on the use of alternate IACUC members and date of IACUC approval.

For questions, suggestions or comments, e-mail: olaw@od.nih.gov.

Posted: March 18, 2011

The NIH has issued a Guide Notice [NOT-OD-11-056] to inform interested parties that the comment period originally identified in a February 24, 2011 Federal Register Notice (PDF) has been extended for 30 days to maximize the opportunity for individuals and organizations to provide comments to NIH. The comment period will now close on April 24, 2011.

All comments should be entered at: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw/2011guidecomments/add.htm.

See also related NIH Guide Notices: NOT-OD-11-042 and NOT-OD-10-102.

Posted: March 17, 2011

A recording of the OLAW IACUC Staff Online Seminar, “IACUC Responsibilities Beyond Protocol Review and Facilities Inspection”, held March 10, 2011 has been posted on the OLAW website. The seminar recording and supporting materials can be found on the Education Resources page.

Posted: March 14, 2011

In November, 2009 the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) jointly conducted an Animal Welfare Symposium titled "Swimming with the Tide: Animal Welfare in Veterinary Medical Education and Research" at Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan. OLAW was one of the supporters for the symposium and has added links on the OLAW website to information  about the meeting and papers  from the meeting published in the Journal of Veterinary Medical Education. This and other resource information can be found on the OLAW website under Useful Links.

Posted: March 7, 2011

An IACUC Administrator’s Best Practices Meeting will be held April 11-12, 2011 in Durham, North Carolina. This is a meeting for IACUC staff and animal program operations personnel to present and share best practices in the humane care and use of laboratory animals. Program information can be found at IACUC Administrator’s Best Practices Meeting (PDF).

Posted: March 4, 2011

NIH, USDA, and FDA have participated under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Concerning Laboratory Animal Welfare for more than two decades. Each agency, operating under its own authority, has specific responsibilities for fostering proper animal care and welfare. This agreement sets forth a framework for reciprocal cooperation intended to enhance agency effectiveness while avoiding duplication of efforts in achieving required standards for the care and use of laboratory animals. The new MOU is available at: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw/references/finalmou.htm.

Posted: March 1, 2011

Visit the Guidance section on the OLAW website for updated Commentary on Lab Animal Protocol Review columns. “A word from OLAW” responds to the topic “Miscommunication involving ‘standard care’” in the March 2011 issue.

Click to download the column: Lab Animal 2011; 40(3). (PDF - 159 KB)

Posted: February 24, 2011

The NIH has issued a Federal Register Notice (PDF) requesting public comments on (1) NIH’s adoption of the eighth edition of the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (Guide ) as a basis for evaluation of institutional programs receiving or proposing to receive Public Health Service support for activities involving animals and (2) if NIH decides to adopt the eighth edition of the Guide, NIH’s proposed implementation plan which would require that institutions complete at least one semiannual program and facility evaluation using the eighth edition of the Guide as the basis for evaluation by March 31, 2012.

NIH encourages comments to be entered at: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw/2011guidecomments/add.htm. Comments must be received on or before March 25, 2011. Comments will be made publicly available after March 25, 2011.

See also, NIH Guide Notice: NOT-OD-11-042.

Posted: February 7, 2011

Public Responsibility in Medicine and Research (PRIM&R) will present an IACUC 101 workshop on March 30 and the 2011 IACUC Conference on March 31-April 1, 2011 in Chicago, IL.

IACUC 101 is a one-day didactic and interactive exploration of IACUC fundamentals appropriate for new and seasoned IACUC members, IACUC affiliates, and individuals responsible for their institution's animal care program. The course provides a basic yet comprehensive overview of the laws, regulations, and policies that govern the humane care and use of research animals.

PRIM&R 2011 IACUC Conference – “Assuring Compliance While Facilitating Research: Achieving the Delicate Balance” – is a two-day conference that will include a range of keynote addresses, panels, workshops, and didactic sessions, designed to help build and strengthen an effective animal care and use program.

Program information – For program, registration, and accommodation information, visit http://www.primr.org/Conferences.aspx?id=8933.

Posted: February 4, 2011

Meeting the Information Requirements of the Animal Welfare Act: A Workshop

The USDA Animal Welfare Information Center (AWIC) teaches a one and a half day workshop at the National Agricultural Library (NAL) in Beltsville, Maryland for individuals who are responsible for providing information to meet the requirements of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA). The workshop is targeted for principal investigators, members of IACUCs, information providers, administrators of animal use programs, and veterinarians.

Course objectives are to provide:

• Overview of the AWA and its information requirements
• Review of the alternatives concept
• Introduction to NAL, AWIC and other organizations
• Instruction on the use of existing information databases/networks
• On-line database searching experience

The next workshop is being held March 16 and 17, 2011 in Beltsville, MD. For additional information, visit http://www.nal.usda.gov/awic/awicworkshops/regform.htm.

Posted: January 31, 2011

Visit the Guidance section on the OLAW website for updated Commentary on Lab Animal Protocol Review columns. “A word from OLAW and USDA” responds to the topic “Citation for a discussion of noncompliance” in the February 2011 issue.

Click to download the column: Lab Animal 2011; 40(2). (PDF - 97 KB)

To further explore this and other topics, browse the OLAW Topic Index. For additional information, visit OLAW.

Posted: January 28, 2011

News articles featuring the Animal Welfare and Scientific Research: 1985 to 2010 Symposium held in October 2010 are available on the OLAW website. Go to the Symposium “In the News” section to find articles such as the Report on Research Compliance featuring UCLA researchers, J. David Jentsch and Dario Ringach, speaking in support of biomedical research involving animals.

Posted: January 21, 2011

OLAW has two fax lines available for Annual Reports. You may fax your document to 301-915-9478 OR 301-915-9483. If you receive a busy signal, please try the other fax number or redial at a later time.  

Annual Reports for the period January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2010 are due to OLAW no later than January 31, 2011. For additional information, see the Annual Report News Flash posting.

Posted: January 14, 2011

Visit the Guidance section on the OLAW website for updated Commentary on Lab Animal Protocol Review columns. “A word from OLAW and USDA” responds to the topic “From ‘Designated Member’ back to ‘Full Committee’?” in the January 2011 issue.

Click to download the column: Lab Animal 2011; 40(1). (PDF - 156 KB)

Posted: January 10, 2011

The Institute for Laboratory Animal Research of the National Academy of Sciences has published the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals: Eighth Edition (Guide). To browse or purchase the Guide, see http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12910 . A PDF version of the Guide is available free for download on the OLAW Web site at http://olaw.nih.gov.

An announcement from OLAW on adoption and implementation of the new Guide is forthcoming.

Posted: January 5, 2011

The Northwest Association for Biomedical Research (NWABR) is presenting the “2011 IACUC Regional Education Conference” on February 25, 2011 in Seattle, Washington. The one-day conference will bring together IACUC administrators, staff, veterinarians, researchers and animal lab technicians. There will be interactive discussions for new and experienced IACUC members, opportunities to ask questions of regulatory officials, and networking time with colleagues. For conference highlights and registration information, visit http://www.nwabr.org/takepart/iacuc.htm.