Principles and Guidelines for the Use of Animals in Precollege Education

Institute of Laboratory Animal Resources
Commission on Life Sciences
National Research Council
National Academy of Sciences
National Academy of Engineering

Note: Although ILAR has no official policy on use of animals by amateurs working at home, they recommend against doing so unless a review process is created. A proposal to use animals in an experiment should be reviewed by at least three people: a veterinarian or other expert in laboratory animal medicine, a scientist or teacher, and a member of the community. A veterinarian should review the location, caging, food storage, bedding, water supply, etc. Also, depending on the species, there should be arrangements for veterinary care if the animals become ill. If the project requires invasive procedures then it should be performed in an approved scientific institution. These precautions reflect the strong concern for animal welfare when people use animals for research in settings that are not already overseen by people skilled in the care and use of animals in research, education, and testing.

Live demonstrations and experiments involving animals in precollege education are valuable ways to excite children about science. ILAR believes that the judicious use of animals in these settings should continue, as long as it is appropriately planned and supervised and does not interfere with an animals health and well-being. Many schools have modified the use of animals in their teaching programs in response to concerns of society, and many more are contemplating such changes.

To help schools implement these changes, ILAR has recommended a new set of principles for the use of animals in precollege science projects. Providing explicit guidance on planning, supervision, animal care, and avoidance of pain and discomfort, the principles are in line with current approaches to the use of animals in higher education and research. Although the principles are not legally binding, ILAR believes they can help improve the scientific integrity of precollege research and encourage more humane treatment of animals.

The humane study of animals in precollege education can provide important learning experiences in science and ethics and should be encouraged. Maintaining classroom pets in preschool and grade school can teach respect for other species, as well as proper animal husbandry practices. Introduction of secondary school students to animal studies in closely supervised settings can reinforce those early lessons and teach the principles of humane care and use of animals in scientific inquiry. The National Research Council recommends compliance with the following principles whenever animals are used in precollege education or in science fair projects.

Principle ¹

Observational and natural history studies that are not intrusive (that is, do not interfere with an animals health or well-being or cause it discomfort) are encouraged for all classes of organisms. When an intrusive study of a living organism is deemed appropriate, consideration should be given first to using plants (including lower plants such as yeast and fungi) and invertebrates with no nervous systems or with primitive ones (including protozoa, planaria, and insects). Intrusive studies of invertebrates with advanced nervous systems (such as octopodes) and vertebrates should be used only when lower invertebrates are not suitable and only under the conditions stated below in Principle 10.

Principle 2

Supervision shall be provided by individuals who are knowledgeable about and experienced with the health, husbandry, care, and handling of the animal species used and who understand applicable laws, regulations, and policies.

Principle 3

Appropriate care for animals must be provided daily, including weekends, holidays, and other times when school is not is session. This care must include a. nutritious food and clean, fresh water; b. clean housing with space and enrichment suitable for normal species behaviors; and c. temperature and lighting appropriate for the species.

Principle 4

Animals should be healthy and free of diseases that can be transmitted to humans or to other animals. Veterinary care must be provided as needed.

Principle 5

Students and teachers should report immediately to the school health authority all scratches, bites, and other injuries; allergies; or illnesses.

Principle 6

Prior to obtaining animals for educational purposes, it is imperative that the school develop a plan for their procurement and ultimate disposition. Animals must not be captured from or released into the wild without the approval of the responsible wildlife and public health officials. When euthanasia is necessary, it should be performed in accordance with the most recent recommendations of the American Veterinary Medical Associations Panel Report on Euthanasia (Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 188[3]:252-268, 1986, et seq.). It should be performed only by someone trained in the appropriate technique.

Principle 7

Students shall not conduct experimental procedures on animals that

a. are likely to cause pain or discomfort or interfere with an animals health or well-being;

b. induce nutritional deficiencies or toxicities; or

c. expose animals to microorganisms, ionizing radiation, cancer-producing agents, or any other harmful drugs or chemicals capable of causing disease, injury, or birth defects in humans or animals.

In general, procedures that cause pain in humans are considered to cause pain in other vertebrates.

Principle 8

Experiments on avian embryos that might result in abnormal chicks or in chicks that might experience pain or discomfort shall be terminated 72 hours prior to the expected date of hatching. The eggs shall be destroyed to prevent inadvertent hatching.

Principle 9

Behavioral conditioning studies shall not involve aversive stimuli. In studies using positive reinforcement, animals should not be deprived of water; food deprivation intervals should be appropriate for the species but should not continue longer than 24 hours.

Principle 10

A plan for conducting an experiment with living animals must be prepared in writing and approved prior to initiating the experiment or to obtaining the animals. Proper experimental design of projects and concern for animal welfare are important learning experiences and contribute to respect for and appropriate care of animals. The plan shall be reviewed by a committee composed of individuals who have the knowledge to understand and evaluate it and who have the authority to approve or disapprove it. The written plan should include the following:

a. a statement of the specific hypotheses or principles to be tested, illustrated, or taught;

b. a summary of what is known about the subject under study, including references;

c. a justification for the use of the species selected and consideration of why a lower vertebrate or invertebrate cannot be used; and

d. A detailed description of the methods and procedures to be used, including experimental design; data analysis; and all aspects of animal procurement, care, housing, use, and disposal.

Exceptions

Exceptions to Principles 7-10 may be granted under special circumstances by a panel appointed by the school principal or his or her designee. This panel should consist of at least three individuals, including a science teacher, a teacher of a nonscience subject, and a scientist or veterinarian who has expertise in the subject matter involved.¹ At least one panel member should not be affiliated with the school or science fair, and none should be a member of the students family.

April 1989

The Institute of Laboratory Animal Resources (ILAR) was founded in 1952 under the auspices of the National Research Council, which serves as an independent adviser to the federal government of scientific and technical questions of national importance. Jointly administered by the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine, the National Research Council brings the resources of the entire scientific and technical community to bear on national problems through its volunteer advisory committees.

ILAR is a component of the Commission on Life Sciences. Among its goals are to develop and make available scientific and technical information on laboratory animals and other biologic research resources to the federal government, the laboratory animal science and biomedical research communities, and the public. Guidelines developed by ILAR form a foundation for institutional and governmental policies on animal care and use. ILAR promotes high-quality and human care of laboratory animals; the appropriate use of laboratory animals, and the exploration of alternatives in research, testing, and teaching.

¹ In situations where an appropriate scientist is not available to assist the student, the Institute of Laboratory Animal Resources (ILAR) might be able to provide referrals. Write to ILAR, National Research Council, 2101 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20418, or call (202)334-2590.