I just got this press release from a little birdie at the American Physiological Society. I've added a few links of my own for those of you who might not be familiar with the issue:
The APS has announced its support for the National Academy of Sciences report Scientific and Humane Issues in the Use of Random Source Dogs and Cats in Research.
The NAS report acknowledged the importance of random source dogs and cats in certain NIH funded research but noted problems with recurrent Animal Welfare Act violations by certain Class B dealers who supply many of these animals for biomedical research. Consequently, the NAS report recommended that NIH-funded researchers no longer purchase animals from these dealers.
The report expressed some concern about whether there are adequate alternatives to Class B dealers. In its conclusions and recommendations section, it stated: "However, the Committee found that it is not necessary to obtain random source dogs and cats for NIH research from Class B dealers, provided that alternative sources of animals with similar characteristics can continue to be assured" (Scientific and Humane Issues, page 6). It then went on to recommend that NIH explore and support alternative supply mechanisms to ensure the continued availability of dogs and cats with random source characteristics. (Scientific and Humane Issues, page 90).
In endorsing this report, the APS notes the need for action to ensure that new suppliers are identified to replace Class B dealers so that there will be no disruption not only to NIH-funded research, but also to other medical and veterinary research and training activities that rely upon random source dogs and cats.
The APS Position Statement on Random Source Dogs and Cats in Medical Research can be found at here. The APS announcement can be found at here.
Nice work, APS!
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Comments
What are "random source dogs and cats"? As opposed to "nonrandom source dogs and cats"? Does the randomness lie with the source or the critters?
Posted by: Karen | October 29, 2009 8:09 PM
Karen,
The short answer is that random source dogs and cats are a little of both. Random source describes the source, but it is also indicative of traits that differ from the typical purpose bred animal.
"Purpose bred" means the vendor bred the animals. But what goes along with that is the fact that commercial research breeders generally track animals' genetic history and tailor their diets, immunizations, etc. to what the researcher needs. The animals are mainly raised in clean environments, and most of the dogs are beagles used for drug studies, though some breeders now raise hounds for surgical and cardiovascular research. Breed isn't a big deal with cats, but the fact of being raised in a clean environment can be. Purpose bred dogs and cats are typically sold at age 9-12 months.
Random source animals are simply ones that weren't bred for research. So they could be any breed, any age, with unknown health histories, all kinds of diseases, etc. That is bad for some kinds of studies, but it can be good for others. A lot of research with random source dogs are cardiovascular studies that require adult dogs from large breeds. Some are also needed for veterinary research on diseases, parasites, and allergens that affect pet dogs and cats--which come from various ages, breeds, etc.
Could breeders supply older dogs and cats? In theory, yes. But if you have to wait a year just for a breeder to "age" a dog to full maturity, it's hard to accomplish the work proposed in the grant. There are almost no really old purpose bred dogs or cats and just a few "middle-aged ones," and those are generally retired breeders.
Other differences that are "come with the package" can be relevant. For example, dogs and cats with exposures to allergens or infected with parasites or viruses are needed at some stages in the the development of veterinary drugs, studies of the cough reflex, etc. It seems highly unlikely that a breeder would want to keep dirty rooms or infected animals around unless there is a really big demand. So that is a difference in critter type that goes along with critter source.
Hope that helps.
Posted by: Alice | October 29, 2009 9:41 PM
Thanks, Alice.
Posted by: Karen | October 31, 2009 12:38 AM