New Frontiers in Education and Training for the Laboratory Animal Community and the Public: An Overview of Select Proceedings from the June 2006 Forum of the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine

Abstract

The proper and humane care and use of laboratory animals and the quality of research results derived from those animals all depend on the personnel who support and work with them. The old adage, “knowledge is power,” might be better stated in this context as “education empowers employees.” Power may be defined as the ability to influence outcomes in a particular situation, thus educational empowerment of employees may be described as the process of gaining the ability to influence work outcomes positively through increased knowledge or experience. To accomplish this objective, research institutions must assure that the personnel who care for or conduct scientific research with laboratory animals have the relevant qualifications and experience or must be provided with the appropriate training. Such training not only helps personnel to perform their job duties with confidence and competence but also potentially helps to avoid unnecessary animal pain or distress, loss of research time and effort, and wasted expenses. In addition, the provision of employee training is a legal and regulatory requirement according to US Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulations (9 CFR 1985), Public Health Service (PHS) Policy (PHS 2002), and the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (NRC 1996). A sustained and effective training program will also help to build a cohesive and collaborative work environment. All personnel engaged in animal care, use, or oversight must understand their respective roles in the animal research enterprise and how they complement and support each other. While scientists are primarily responsible for conducting research, the laboratory animal veterinarians, animal care technicians, and institutional animal care and use committee (IACUC) members support the scientific research in a variety of ways: by providing optimal animal care, preventing the introduction of disease, and avoiding unnecessary animal pain or distress. Educating personnel about the effects of inappropriate care and use will also help them to understand how optimal animal health and welfare directly affects the outcome of the research. In addition, it helps to assure that the institution is compliant with the relevant laws, regulations, and guidelines. Working collaboratively results in the shared goals of good science and humane animal care. “Modern laboratory animal science and medicine” (Wolfle 2003) was officially recognized almost 60 yr ago, and much has been learned about the appropriate care and use of laboratory animals during the past six decades (AALAS 1999). However, it was not until 1985 that USDA regulations and PHS Policy required training for animal care and use personnel. In 1988, to help institutions comply with the regulatory requirements and to assist them in developing training programs, the Institute of Laboratory Animal Resources (renamed in 1997 to the Institute for Laboratory Animal Research), National Research Council, appointed a Committee on Educational Programs in Laboratory Animal Science. As a result, in 1991 ILAR published Education and Training in the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals: A Guide for Developing Institutional Program was published (NRC 1991). This manual, which includes a course syllabus, training resources, and educational tools, continues to provide useful guidance for training research and animal care personnel. However, new approaches to education and training, advancements in technology, and many improvements in animal care and use have been introduced in the last 15 yr. This issue of ILAR Journal is intended to update and enhance the ILAR training manual. Leticia V. Medina, D.V.M., DACLAM, is Manager, Animal Welfare and Compliance, Preclinical Safety, Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, IL. Lynn C. Anderson, D.V.M., DACLAM, is Executive Director, Consulting and Staffing Services, Charles River Laboratories, Wilmington, MA. Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Leticia V. Medina, Manager, Animal Welfare and Compliance, Abbott Laboratories, Preclinical Safety, R46G, AP9A-1, 100 Abbott Park Road, Abbott Park, IL 600646105, or email Letty.medina@abbott.com.