Animal Research

Position Statements

Animal studies continue to play a crucial part in medical, veterinary and scientific research that benefits both animals and humans. Americans for Medical Progress supports research involving animals when it is necessary to advance our understanding of biological processes. Because animals are living creatures that deserve respect, care and compassion, such research should always be conducted in an ethical, judicious, and responsible manner and in compliance with laws and guidelines that govern the care and treatment of laboratory animals. Access to rapid, safe, and reliable modes of transportation also contributes to the welfare of animals needed to study specific diseases.

See our FAQ for answers to these and other questions:
  • How do we learn from biomedical research using animals?
  • Who cares for animals in research?
  • Why can’t alternatives like computers replace research animals?

We salute organizations that have published their own statements explaining the importance of animal research. Excerpts of these statement are included below.

Please contact us if you wish to add your own organization’s position statement, or to request our Guide for Developing a Statement About Animal Research or one-on-one assistance.

AbbVie. “AbbVie is committed to ensuring the humane care and use of laboratory animals in the company’s research and development programs. We recognize that high quality science and humane animal care are inseparable.” More

American Lung Association. “The American Lung Association recognizes the critical role animal research has played in making medical advances. The American Lung Association strongly supports full compliance with the existing rules and regulations that assure the humane and compassionate management of laboratory animals.” More

American Physiological Society. “Humane research involving animals provides unique insights into biological structure and function.” More

American University.  “American University adheres to the principle that scientific knowledge developed through animal research helps to improve the understanding of human behavior and pathology. The use of animal models provides a way to gain insight into the etiology and possible treatment of the human condition, alleviating pain and suffering, improving human and animal health and saving countless lives.” More

American Veterinary Medical Association. “The AVMA recognizes that animals have an important role in research, testing, and education for continued improvement of human and animal health and welfare.” More

Amgen. “Amgen is committed to unlocking the potential of biology for patients suffering from serious illnesses by discovering and developing innovative human therapeutics. As part of that mission, Amgen is ethically and legally obliged to rigorously evaluate the efficacy, safety and quality of potential new medicines. While many of these evaluations can be accomplished by techniques that do not require the use of animals, given the present state of scientific knowledge, testing innovative new medicines in animals is frequently critical to their evaluation and is required by regulatory authorities worldwide.” More

Arizona State University. “ASU conducts research of vital interest to society and the health and welfare of individuals. Some of that research is devoted to advancing health care and finding cures for diseases such as cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, Ebola and heart disease. Animal research has played a major role in virtually every major medical advance in the last century and remains integral to biomedical progress. A study by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) concluded that animal research has helped increase the life expectancy of humans by 20.8 years. Animal research is also critical for advances in veterinary medicine and wildlife conservation, both of which depend on improvements in our understanding of animal behavior, ecology, physiology, pathology, nutrition and stress responses. Millions of people and a similar number of animals would suffer or die unnecessarily if animal research were to cease.” More

Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology. “Research in vision and ophthalmology improves quality of life. This improvement stems from progress in ameliorating human and animal injury/disease and disability through advances in human and veterinary medicine, and by improving our understanding of human and animal life. Because so much of vision research is aimed at understanding the structure and function of complex and intricately connected biological systems, work with living animals is vital to continued progress in many areas of clinical and basic research on vision. The proper use of animals in research is, therefore, an honorable and essential contribution to the improvement of both human and animal lives.More

AstraZeneca. “The use of animals in research is a small but vital part of the process of bringing new medicines to patients. Although advances continue to be made in non-animal alternatives, some animal studies remain necessary to explore and understand fundamental science, as well as to establish the safety and efficacy of new medicines before they reach patients.” More

Baxter. “Baxter supports the conscientious use of animals in research only when the scientific purpose of the research is of sufficient potential significance to justify such use and no other reasonable scientific or regulatorily acceptable non-animal alternative exists to demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of the company’s life-saving and life-sustaining products and therapies. The company embraces its ethical responsibility to ensure the well-being and humane care of the animals used for product development and testing. In the substantial majority of cases where Baxter uses animals, it is required by health authorities to do so.” More

Boston University. “Boston University is a major academic research institution conducting high-quality research as part of its mission of advancing human health. Animal research has been, and continues to be, a critical component of the efforts in advancing our understanding of cancer, heart disease and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s to name a few.” More

Bristol-Myers Squibb. “We take seriously our responsibility for the ethical treatment of animals used in research.  Our mission to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines has both a legal and ethical obligation to ensure their safety and efficacy prior to use in humans. Regulatory agencies around the world require that investigational medicines be thoroughly evaluated before approval for use in human clinical trials. Research or testing methods that include the use of animals are sometimes required, and will continue to be a component of our efforts. At the same time, providing high-quality humane animal care and developing alternatives to animal use are moral, scientific and legal necessities. We are committed to reducing our reliance on animal testing methods, and promoting the development, validation and use of non-animal testing models.” More

Brookhaven National Laboratory. “Public support for animal research comes as a privilege and imparts great responsibility on the part of institutions, researchers, and animal caretakers. Brookhaven National Laboratory’s (BNL) policy on the care and use of animals in research is to carefully consider all proposed animal experimentation and to ensure the ethical treatment of animals used in research.” More

Brown University. “Foremost, we are committed to providing healthy, well-cared-for animals, which are essential to meaningful research, and maintaining the animal facility for their daily care.” More

California Institute of Technology. “Caltech is committed to ensuring that animals involved in research and teaching receive humane care and treatment.” More

California State University, Fullerton. “California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) is committed to the humane care and use of animals in teaching and research. This commitment is reflected in the presence of an accredited and state-licensed Veterinarian and Certified Laboratory Animal Technologist/Registered Veterinarian Technician, who have, as their principal concern, the health and welfare of animals. CSUF has a designated Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), which is composed of a panel of experts on animal health and welfare, life and behavioral sciences, laboratory safety and federal regulations, as well as a representative from the community at large.” More

Carnegie Mellon University. “Maintaining humane animal care in research and teaching requires conscientious adherence to animal welfare regulations. Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) follows the Federal regulations and guidelines set forth in the PHS Policy on the Humane Care and Use of Laboratory and the Animal Welfare Act.” More

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “CDC has a legal and moral responsibility to ensure that the animals entrusted to our care are treated in accordance with the highest standards of animal welfare and care.” More

Charles River Laboratories. “Animals have contributed to nearly every medical breakthrough in recent history, including treatments for cancer, diabetes, and AIDS, and they continue to play an essential role in the development of life-saving drugs for people and other animals. The welfare of the animals contributing to research is of utmost importance and a prerequisite for the accuracy, reliability, and translatability of our research.” More

Colorado State University. “Laboratory animals have played a vital role in many of the most significant advances in the diagnosis and treatment of disease, and continue to be a critical resource. Transporting animals between specialized breeders and institutions is important to continue new discoveries and foster collaborations. Airlines and other transportation services are critical for this work, and LAR supports the continued safe, humane, and rapid transport of laboratory animals to improve the lives of both humans and animals.” More 

Columbia University. “Animal-based medical research has been the foundation of countless critical health-related advances—saving millions of lives, both human and animal. Animals have played an essential role in the development of treatments that provide hope to patients with serious diseases such as Alzheimer’s, diabetes, cancer, AIDS and heart disease.” More

Dartmouth. “Dartmouth College’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) ensures that all research and teaching protocols using live vertebrate animals are designed and carried out in a humane manner that complies with all applicable laws, polices, and guidelines” More

Dupont. “DuPont conducts laboratory animal testing and livestock feeding trials in order to bring beneficial products to consumers, to maintain our commitment to safety, health and the environment, and to comply with regulatory requirements. Our use of animals, in both product development and chemical safety assessment, consistently reflects our concern for the welfare and ethical treatment of these animals.” More

Duke University. “Duke University strongly affirms the essential role that research and education involving live animals has in the advancement of biological and medical knowledge. Further, Duke University acknowledges that animals used in biomedical research and education should receive the best possible care and be treated with respect.” More

DuMond Conservancy. “The mission of the DuMond Conservancy is to engage scientists, students, and the public in the understanding and stewardship of nonhuman primates and their tropical forest habitats. We provide opportunities for scientists and for students of varying ages and abilities to participate in creative science and educational programs and to experience unique encounters with nonhuman primates.” More

Emory National Primate Center. “Research with animals is critical to finding causes, preventions, treatments and cures for disease, and part of helping people and animals worldwide live longer, healthier lives.” More

Emory University. “Emory University is firmly committed to discovering knowledge that will lead to the treatment and cure of disease and physical injury. Insofar as the discovery of knowledge through scientific research often involves animals, Emory is also committed to the highest ethical standards in the care of animal subjects. It is the policy of Emory University to adhere conscientiously to all of the humane standards set by the Animal Welfare Act (United States Department of Agriculture/USDA), the Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, the Standards of the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International (AAALAC), whose certification is regarded as the gold seal of approval for laboratory animal care, and the policies of the Emory University Board of Trustees.” More

Inotiv. “Inotiv is a global company that is committed to helping customers realize the full potential of their products and research which contribute to enhancing the lives of people and animals, as well as protecting the environment. The value of animals in this critical research is essential for advancing our understanding of the body in health and disease and for developing new medicines and other compounds. Without animal research, we would not be able to produce the life-changing medicines that enhance and save lives across the world.” More

Eli Lilly.  “We have a moral and ethical responsibility for the welfare of animals used in research, which is why we have strong policies and principles in place to ensure that all animal research conducted either by our employees or by third parties on our behalf is in line with our values. More

Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology. “The role of animals remains critical in understanding the fundamental processes of life and in developing treatments for injury and disease.” More

Franklin and Marshall College. “The College is committed to ensuring that the care and use of animals in teaching or research is consistent with sound ethical principles and that it is in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations.” More

Georgia Tech.  “Regardless of the cultural, ethical, and religious tradition that one embraces, there is widespread agreement that animals should not be caused to suffer needlessly. This notion undeniably applies to research contexts, implying that there is an obligation that researchers have to consider the potential impact which their work can and will have on animal subjects.” More

GSK.  “We take our moral and societal responsibility to animals seriously by providing high standards for the care, welfare and treatment of all animals in our charge.  More

Harvard. “Harvard’s animal care and use programs are based on the three “R”s as described by Russell and Burch in The Principles of Humane Experimental Technique. These principles advocate the need to reduce the number of animals used, refine experiments to minimize distress, or replace animals with non-animal models (e.g., in vitro experiments or computer simulations) whenever possible.” More

Humboldt State University. “Federal regulations require that faculty, staff, and students at Humboldt State University who use live vertebrate animals in their teaching or research must conform to applicable regulations and policies that govern animal care and use on the campus. These procedures address the acquisition of animals, their transportation, use and care, efforts to minimize pain and distress, consideration of alternatives to the use of animals, and training of personnel.” More

Illinois State University.  “Illinois State University is committed to humane animal care and use and encourages anyone who perceives a problem with the way animals are housed, handled, or used in research to report their concerns to their supervisor.”  More

International Brain Research Organization.  “The undersigned neuroscience societies strongly advocate the responsible use of animals in biological and biomedical research. Animal models are vital and irreplaceable for scientific progress and in combating the devastation of human neurological and psychiatric diseases, which affect more than 1 billion people worldwide, and for improving veterinary health.” More

John Hopkins University.  “Animals that are used in research and teaching at the Johns Hopkins University are covered by our Animal Care and Use Program. The Johns Hopkins program is designed to assure that it is in compliance with the Animal Welfare Act regulations and Public Health Service (PHS) Policy.”  More

Johnson & Johnson.  “Johnson & Johnson is committed to ensure the ethical treatment of animals used in laboratory settings to advance patient safety and well-being. Johnson & Johnson operating companies have policies and guidelines in place that drive the ethical and humane treatment of the animals we use, and that promote the use of nonanimal alternatives whenever feasible.”  More

Josman, LLC.  “We believe animal testing for scientific purpose and the ethical care of animals are compatible goals. A healthy, stress-free animal with a robust immune system is critical to the success of your antibody production research. Our facility utilizes an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) which reviews animal protocols to ensure proper regulatory and human care is provided.”  More

Labcorp. “We are committed to ensuring the welfare of animals we work with in research.  Animal research is critical to developing new, safe and effective medicines, devices and products that protect and save the lives of people and animals. ” More

Lonza.  “In order to ensure the safe handling and use of products, regulatory authorities in many countries require various tests which, given the current state of scientific development, still require the use of animal testing.”  More

Louisana State University.  “The use of laboratory animals in teaching and research is a fundamental necessity of continued progress in the biomedical sciences. Such use of animals constitutes a special privilege to the scientific community.”  More

Marshall University.  “The use of animals for teaching and research is a fundamental part of biology and medicine. Suitable animals are required for investigative and teaching purposes. Proper care and management of these animals is both a scientific necessity and a legal requirement.”  More

Merck & Co., Inc.  “Laboratory animal research is indispensable to the discovery, development, manufacture and marketing of innovative medicines that treat and prevent disease. Our company is dedicated to the ethical and responsible treatment of all animals used in the development of medicines and vaccines.”  More

Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium.  “The Marine Biomedical Research Program focuses on basic and applied research using sharks, skates, and stingrays as laboratory animal models. Areas of interest include biochemistry, physiology, immunology, reproductive biology and embryonic development.” More

NASA. “Research subjects such as rodents (and other animals) allow us to control for variables that are related to exposure to spaceflight and conduct experiments that would be impossible to test on human subjects. Space Biology researchers can use a variety of methods, techniques, and tools to elucidate the effects that spaceflight has on model organisms at the molecular, cellular, and systemic levels.” More

National Animal Interests Alliance.  “Incredible advances in human and animal health have been made as a result of carefully designed and implemented research protocols. Vaccines, anesthetics, pain medications, surgical procedures, diagnostic tests, therapeutic drugs, treatment plans for diseases and injuries, and preventive practices have been developed through animal research.”   More

National Institutes of Health. “All animals used in federally funded research are protected by laws, regulations, and policies to ensure the smallest possible number of subjects and the greatest commitment to their comfort. Fulfilling these protections is a collaborative effort between NIH, federally supported scientific investigators, and research institutions.” More

National Kidney Foundation.  “Virtually all of the recent improvements in the care of patients with kidney disease have resulted from the basic research involving the use of laboratory animals.” More

National Primate Research Centers.  “…Because our animals are crucial to discovering causes, preventions, treatments and cures, we have tailored programs to meet their species-typical needs as well as their psychological well-being.  these programs include socialization, foraging and sensory opportunities, manipulable objects, climbing structures and positive reinforcement training to help facilitate animal care, veterinary procedures and research.” More

Northern Illinois University.  “Northern Illinois University is committed to conducting quality animal research in an ethical and responsible manner to further science and improve the health of society.” More

Novartis.  “Animal research is key to many of the great medical advances of today, including cancer treatments; medicines to treat neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis, medicines for diseases that have high morbidity and mortality rates around the world like high blood pressure, diabetes, malaria and much more.”  More

Oregon National Primate Research Center.  “The Oregon National Primate Research Center’s (ONPRC’s) contributions to biomedical research rely on scientific integrity, a commitment to innovative research, and ultimately a fundamental respect for life. Our animals are crucial to discovering more effective and accessible vaccines, treatments, and cures for a myriad of devastating human diseases.” More

Pfizer. “Pfizer is dedicated to helping people live longer, healthier lives through the discovery and development of breakthrough medicines and therapies. Animal-based biomedical research in the pharmaceutical industry remains a vital component of the discovery, evaluation and regulatory processes, which lead to the development of products that save or improve human lives throughout the world.” More

Princeton University.  “Princeton University is deeply committed to the care and welfare of animals in research. The University recognizes that scientific and medical knowledge developed through animal research has the capacity to save lives, improve human and animal health, and alleviate pain and suffering.” More

Rockland Antibodies & Assays. “Rockland is committed to take actions to ensure that laboratory animals are treated according to high ethical and scientific standards.” More

Society for Neuroscience.  “Countless health advances that exist today, including medications, flu shots, veterinary interventions, and minimally invasive surgery, have been made possible through decades of responsible animal research.” More

Stanford University.  “Animal studies play a vital role in advancing science and finding new and improved ways of fighting serious diseases. Stanford University is committed to the responsible care and use of animals in research.” More

Stanford University School of Medicine.  “The Stanford University School of Medicine supports the conduct of biomedical research to further the understanding of the world in which we live and to apply this knowledge for the benefit of humans and animals.” More

State University of New York at Buffalo.  “Animal research is changing, in part because of newer computer modeling techniques and cell tissue / organ culture methodologies that have reduced the need for animals to be used in research and teaching.”  More

Summit Ridge Farms.  “We are dedicated to the humane care and welfare of all our dogs and cats. It is our privilege to work with these animals everyday and give them the care and respect they deserve.” More

Texas Biomedical Institute-Southwest National Primate Research Center. “While some research questions may adequately be addressed using cell cultures, tissue studies or computer models, which we also employ at Texas Biomed and the SNPRC, research with animals continues to be critical for the advancement of human health.” More

Thomas Jefferson University.  “The mission of the Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee (IACUC). is to assist investigators and staff of the University, helping them to plan and conduct research that uses animals in accord with the highest ethical, humane, and scientific principles and in compliance with federal laws and regulations.” More

Tulane National Primate Center.  “Animal Research Helps People and Animals.  Virtually everyone alive today has benefited from the medical advances made possible through animal research. Polio, smallpox, diphtheria, cholera and measles are no longer major threats to public health in the United States.” More

U.S. Department of Agriculture – Agricultural Research Services (ARS). “ARS is committed to ensuring the humane treatment and welfare of animals used for any purpose in fulfilling the research mission of the Agency. ARS personnel or ARS-funded facilities using animals for any purpose shall adhere to applicable regulations.” More

U.S. Department of Defense. “DoD sponsored research using animals is of the highest standard in the world, providing research animals with humane care and treatment to the greatest practical extent.” More

U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. “The use of animals in VA research is a privilege granted to those investigators and programs that commit to meeting the highest ethical and regulatory standards.” More

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. “These animal efficacy studies substitute for efficacy trials in humans, and therefore, the assessment of efficacy in animals should follow best practices for adequate and well-controlled human efficacy studies, with endpoints that demonstrate an important clinical benefit, generally the enhancement of survival or prevention of major morbidity. All studies subject to this rule must be conducted in accordance with preexisting requirements under the good laboratory practices regulations and the Animal Welfare Act.” More

University of Alaska, Anchorage.  “At the core of this program is the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. The University’s goal is to foster a supportive environment for high-quality research, education, and service while ensuring that all use of live vertebrates is adequately justified and conducted by knowledgeable people using the most appropriate methodology.
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University of Alaska, Fairbanks.  “The merits of animal research are widely accepted by scientists and largely appreciated by the general public. Major biomedical research institutions, professional societies, and research scientists have a shared understanding of the tremendous value gained from studies using animal subjects” More

University of Arizona, University Animal Care.  “UAC ensures humane and appropriate animal care and use by providing for the animals daily needs, veterinary care, and monitoring the use of the animals by principal investigators, technical personnel, and students. UAC is devoted to maintaining a safe environment that minimizes the risk of disease or injury to the animals and the personnel who work with them.” More

University of California, Berkeley. “All institutions using vertebrate animals for research or instruction must establish an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) to oversee and evaluate the institution’s animal care and use program. This committee at UC Berkeley, the Animal Care and Use Committee (ACUC), falls under the purview of the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research.” More

University of California, Los Angeles.  “World-class scientists at UCLA utilize laboratory animals in research in an ongoing quest for knowledge that benefits society. This research has enhanced our understanding of how the human body functions and led to the development of lifesaving procedures and medicines — among them radiation therapy and other cancer treatments, open-heart surgery, fetal circulatory health treatments, organ transplantation, mental health treatments and vaccines.” More

University of California, San Francisco. “The IACUC oversees all UCSF research and instruction that involves vertebrate animals, in order to ensure that the highest ethical and animal welfare standards are met through all applicable federal, state, and University laws and regulations.” More

University of Central Arkansas. “All activities involving animals must be conducted in accordance with humane and ethical principals as established by federal laws, regulations, and guidelines pertaining to animal care and use.” More

University of Delaware. “Federal regulations require that all use of non-human vertebrate animals in research, teaching, and testing follow established guidelines and be reviewed and approved by an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), which is constituted according to the Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.” More

University of Michigan. “Research studies involving animals have made critical contributions to the treatment of a wide variety of diseases – as well as joint replacement procedures, organ transplantations, and heart bypass operations – and are responsible for countless drug therapy discoveries and enhancements.” More

University of Georgia, College of Veterinary Medicine. “The College’s animal resources unit is passionate about promoting and providing optimal laboratory animal care and use as well as high-quality support services through professional management, education, and training.” More

University of Iowa. “University of Iowa Principles for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (adapted from the U.S. Government Principles for the Utilization and Care of Vertebrate Animals Used in Testing, Research, and Training.)”  More

University of Maryland. “The IACUC adheres to the belief that the development of knowledge necessary for the improvement of the health and well-being of humans as well as other animals requires in vivo experimentation with a wide variety of animal species.” More

University of Michigan. “Laboratory animals have been central to the advancement of knowledge that has led to a vast array of benefits to both human and animal health. This site highlights the importance of this work, and how the University ensures the humane and ethical treatment of all animals used in research and training.” More

University of Minnesota. “The University of Minnesota supports the use of animals in research projects for its crucial contribution to discoveries that improve and save lives. The U maintains the highest standards of animal care; conforms to all ethical, legal and safety regulations; and only uses animals when there is no accurate, scientifically validated alternative.” More

University of Northern Colorado. “The University of Northern Colorado (UNC) has provided a formal assurance to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services stating that UNC will comply with the Public Health Service (PHS) Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.” More

University of Pennsylvania. “Animal research is vital to the discovery of biological processes and the development of treatments for diseases to eliminate them or ease suffering, and improve overall quality of life. Current technology is, unfortunately, not yet advanced enough to fully replicate the complex biological systems of a living being. Even when non-living systems can be used to develop new ideas and treatments, it is usually necessary to test them in live animals to further examine their effectiveness and, importantly, verify their safety.” More

University of Pittsburgh. “Studying animals gives us a window into understanding how our own bodies work. We then use this knowledge to develop treatments for devastating diseases. Such advances have saved millions of lives and drastically improved the quality of life for millions more.” More

University of San Diego.  “The University of San Diego is committed to the ethical treatment and use of animals in all teaching and research activities conducted on campus.” More

University of South Alabama.  “The responsible use of animals is an essential part of the research, education and service missions of the University of South Alabama. It is the University community’s responsibility to insure that these animals are used and cared for in a humane way. “ More

University of South Florida. “The University of South Florida (USF) affirms that respect for all forms of life is an inherent characteristic of biological and medical scientists who conduct research involving animals, that the respectful treatment, care and use of animals involved in research is an ethical and scientific necessity, and that the use of animals in research and teaching contributes to the advancement of knowledge and the acquisition of understanding.” More

University of Tennessee Chattanooga. “The university regards the use of animals in research and teaching to be an essential component for continued progress in the field of science. It is committed to the highest ethical standard of animal care.” More

University of Texas at Austin. “It is the policy of The University of Texas at Austin (“University”) to assure the care and use of animals for University research, teaching, and testing activities is done in accordance with applicable federal and state laws or regulations.”  More

University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio. “The Health Science Center program for the humane care and use of laboratory animals involves four entities working together to ensure that the University remains in compliance with federal and institutional guidelines and regulations and remains accredited by the regulatory agencies.” More

University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston. “The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) recognizes the importance of animals in research and the scientific and ethical responsibility for their humane care and use. All those involved with the use of laboratory animals are responsible for insuring the health and well-being of the animals used in research and education at UTHealth.” More

University of Texas MD Anderson Keeling Center. “We will continually set, refine and advance the world’s standards for the humane care and management of laboratory animals in cancer and allied disease research. Our standard will be defined by quality of care and research service as well as compassion and respect for the needs of research animals.” More

University of Utah. “The University of Utah is devoted to high quality science and recognizes that it is inseparable from humane animal care. We are committed to responsible and ethical research and follow rigorous guidelines to meet the highest standards of animal welfare.” More

University of Washington. “The University of Washington (UW) is committed to conducting quality animal research in an ethical and responsible manner to further science and to improve the health of society. The UW’s Office of Animal Welfare (OAW) provides support to the UW Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), as well as, to researchers utilizing live vertebrate animals for teaching and research.” More

University of Wisconsin-Madison. “Animal research is an indispensable tool for understanding complex living organisms, and many University of Wisconsin–Madison research programs study animals as models of human disease and to explore basic biological processes.” More

University of Wyoming. “The University recognizes the importance of animals in research and the scientific and ethical responsibility for their humane care and use. All those involved with the use of laboratory animals are responsible for ensuring the health and well-being of the animals used in research and education at the University.” More

Virginia Commonwealth University.  “Public support for animal research comes as a privilege and imparts great responsibility on the part of institutions, researchers, and animal caretakers. Virginia Commonwealth University places the ethical treatment of animals as a primary responsibility and the founding principal of our animal care and use program.” More

Wake Forest School of Medicine.  “Animal research is vitally important in understanding how a healthy body works and how diseases, illnesses, and injuries affect that body in both humans and other animals. Animal research has made possible virtually all the medications, medical devices, surgeries, treatments, and therapies we need when we are sick or injured.” More

Weber State University. “Weber State University is committed to the proper treatment of animal research subjects. Unnecessary pain to any creature is to be avoided.” More

West Virginia University. “The West Virginia University Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) oversees the entire animal care program at WVU, insuring the health and well-being of all animals being used for research, testing, and education. The IACUC serves as a resource to investigators, technicians, students, staff and administrators, providing guidance in fulfilling the obligation to plan and conduct all animal use procedures with the highest scientific, humane, and ethical principles.” More

Wisconsin National Primate Research Center. “Animal research is an indispensable tool for understanding complex living organisms, and many University of Wisconsin–Madison research programs study animals as models of human disease and to explore basic biological processes. The university’s commitment to responsible and ethical research conducted under the attention of skilled veterinarians continues a long history of improving human and animal health and well-being.” More

World Medical Association. “Biomedical research is essential to the health and well-being of our society. Advances in biomedical research have dramatically improved the quality and prolonged the duration of life throughout the world.” More

Yale University. “Yale University is committed to conducting quality animal research in an ethical and responsible manner to further science and to improve the health of society.” More

Please contact us if you wish to add your own organization’s position statement, or you would like our assistance in developing one.

Thank you to Speaking of Research from where we pulled this initial list. To see position statements for animal research globally, please see their website.