For many years, laboratory dogs have served as important animal models for biomedical research that has advanced human health. Conducted at the request of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), this report assesses whether laboratory dogs are or will continue to be necessary for biomedical research related to the VA's mission. The report concludes that using laboratory dogs in research at the VA is scientifically necessary for only a few areas of current biomedical research. The report recommends that the VA adopt an expanded set of criteria for determining when it is scientifically necessary to use laboratory dogs in VA biomedical research; that the VA promote the development and use of alternatives to laboratory dogs; and highlights opportunities for the VA to enhance the welfare of laboratory dogs that are being used in biomedical research areas for which they have been deemed necessary.

Contents

• The National Academies of SCIENCES • ENGINEERING • MEDICINE
• COMMITTEE ON ASSESSMENT OF THE USE AND CARE OF DOGS IN BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH FUNDED BY OR CONDUCTED AT THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
• Reviewers
• Preface
• Summary
  • STUDY ORIGIN
  • LEGAL, SOCIAL, AND ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS
  • DETERMINING THE NECESSITY OF LABORATORY DOGS IN BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH FUNDED BY OR CONDUCTED AT THE VA
  • ALTERNATIVES TO THE USE OF LABORATORY DOGS
  • CARE AND WELFARE OF LABORATORY DOGS USED IN RESEARCH
• 1. Introduction
  • ORIGIN OF THIS STUDY
  • RECENT LEGISLATION CONCERNING THE USE OF LABORATORY DOGS AT THE VA
  • STUDY PROCESS
  • THE COMMITTEE'S INTERPRETATION OF ITS TASK
  • TERMINOLOGY USED IN THIS REPORT
  • ORGANIZATION OF THE REPORT
  • REFERENCES
• 2. Legal, Social, and Ethical Considerations
  • HISTORICAL OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH USING DOGS
  • LEGAL CONTEXT FOR USING LABORATORY DOGS IN BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH
  • STANDARDS FOR THE USE AND WELFARE OF DOGS IN BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH
  • SOCIAL AND ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS
  • ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS ON THE USE OF DOGS IN VA RESEARCH
  • REFERENCES
• 3. Determining the Necessity of Laboratory Dogs in Biomedical Research Funded by or Conducted at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
  • TRENDS IN DOG USE IN U.S. RESEARCH FACILITIES
  • LABORATORY DOG USE IN BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH AT THE VA
  • NEXT STEPS FOR THE USE OF LABORATORY DOGS IN BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH RELATED TO THE VA'S MISSION
  • THE VA'S BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH REVIEW PROCESS
  • OPERATIONALIZING “NECESSARY” AREAS OF AGREEMENT AND DISAGREEMENT WITHIN THE COMMITTEE
  • OPPORTUNITIES TO IMPROVE BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH PROTOCOLS AND REVIEW PROCESSES AT THE VA
  • REFERENCES
• 4. Alternatives to the Use of Laboratory Dogs
  • CURRENT STATUS OF ALTERNATIVES DEVELOPMENT
  • COMPANION DOGS
  • OTHER ANIMAL MODELS
  • NON-ANIMAL MODELS: NEW APPROACH METHODOLOGIES
  • HUMAN CLINICAL TRIALS
  • REFERENCES
• 5. Care and Welfare of Laboratory Dogs Used in Biomedical Research Funded by or Conducted at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
  • CURRENT KNOWLEDGE IN THE SCIENCE OF ANIMAL WELFARE: A BRIEF OVERVIEW
  • ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR ENHANCEMENT OF THE WELFARE OF LABORATORY DOGS
  • ASSESSMENT OF CURRENT VA PRACTICES: DO THEY MEET CURRENT STANDARDS, REQUIREMENTS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS WITH REGARD TO THE CARE AND WELFARE OF DOGS?
  • CONSIDERATIONS FOR ENHANCEMENT AT THE VA
  • REFERENCES
• Appendix A. Methods
• Appendix B. U.S. Department of Agriculture Statistics on the Use of Dogs and Other Animals in Research
• Appendix C. Biographical Sketches of Committee Members

Suggested citation:

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2020. Necessity, use, and care of laboratory dogs at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/25772.

Digital Object Identifier: https://doi.org/10.17226/25772

Additional copies of this publication are available from the National Academies Press, 500 Fifth Street, NW, Keck 360, Washington, DC 20001; (800) 624-6242 or (202) 334-3313; http://www.nap.edu.

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