This information is over 2 years old. Information was current at time of publication.{"id":8060,"date":"2014-12-10T14:43:02","date_gmt":"2014-12-10T18:43:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/info.hsls.pitt.edu\/updatereport\/?p=8060"},"modified":"2015-01-07T09:49:58","modified_gmt":"2015-01-07T13:49:58","slug":"%e2%80%9c3r%e2%80%9d-literature-searching-for-iacuc-protocols","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/info.hsls.pitt.edu\/updatereport\/%e2%80%9c3r%e2%80%9d-literature-searching-for-iacuc-protocols\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201c3R\u201d Literature Searching for IACUC Protocols"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Melissa
Melissa Ratajeski
Reference Librarian and IACUC Liaison<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Among its many areas of oversight, the University of Pittsburgh Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC<\/a>) ensures that researchers are compliant with the USDA Animal Welfare Act, including USDA Policy 12<\/a>. This policy requires that investigators consider alternatives to procedures that may cause more than momentary or slight pain, or distress to research animals.<\/p>\n

The USDA considers the performance of database searches and analysis of articles as an effective method for demonstrating compliance with this requirement. Literature searches and corresponding narratives should address the following 3R\u2019s as discussed by Russell and Burch in their classic publication, The Principles of Humane Experimental Technique<\/i><\/a>:<\/em><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Reduction\u2014Minimize the number of animals used, without jeopardizing statistical validity;<\/li>\n
  2. Refinement\u2014Employ techniques that reduce pain and distress;<\/li>\n
  3. Replacement\u2014Substitute animals with non-animal methods (i.e., computer simulation) or lower animal species.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Important points to remember:<\/p>\n