Statement of Ethical Principles on the Use of Animals

At California State University, Long Beach, the lives of animals, especially vertebrates and others with a Central Nervous System, are considered to have intrinsic value. The ethics of using animals in research and classroom teaching must be weighed against the potential benefit to be gained. Although only relative comparisons of cost and benefit are possible, the use of living animals as laboratory subjects implies an ethical judgment that the cost incurred is outweighed by the anticipated benefits to human beings and other animals. The researcher or teacher working with live animals assumes responsibility for the ethical, as well as the scientific, aspects of the project.

Acquisition, care, use, and disposition of animals shall conform to applicable laws and professional guidelines. The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) shall review classroom and research protocols. The IACUC shall have final authority over all activities.

IACUC approved, knowledgeable, trained individuals shall carry out all procedures with animals. Faculty researchers shall ensure that all assistants are properly trained in all procedures used in routine techniques. Likewise, faculty shall ensure that students are appropriately instructed in all aspects of classroom exercises that use animals.

All projects using animals shall be carefully conceived and shall be the best alternative to achieving the goal. Research designs shall be chosen to use as few animals as possible; to minimize the subjects suffering, distress, deprivation, or loss of life; to avoid duplicative experiments for which there is no special justification; and to hold out the promise of significant gains in knowledge or medical treatment.

All efforts must be made to avoid unnecessary suffering before, during, and after scientific procedures. Faculty must be prepared to terminate a project if its continuation leads to unnecessary pain. Surgical procedures shall be carried out with appropriate anesthesia, and post-operative care shall be performed to minimize infection and pain. When it is necessary to euthanize an animal, this must be done in a humane manner so as to assure that death is as fast, certain, and painless as possible.

California State University, Long Beach adheres to the principles and practices as set forth in the public laws and detailed in the most current version of The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.