LAWS
Laws regarding animal rights have been around as long as animal testing has, here is a timeline showing the history of those laws:
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ANIMAL WELFARE ACT: signed into law in 1966, its original intent was to regulate the care and use of animals in the laboratory. "It has become the only Federal law in the United States that regulates the treatment of animals in research, exhibition, transport, and by dealers. Other laws, policies, and guidelines may include additional species coverage or specifications for animal care and use, but all refer to the Animal Welfare Act as the minimum acceptable standard." (Understandinganimalresearch.com)
FAQs
Does the Animal Welfare Act regulate what or for what animals can be tested?
-No, the AWA only regulates how the animals are obtained and maintained at a facility.
Are all animals protected under the Animal Welfare Act?
-No, in 1970 an amendment was made that defined the protected species' as any warm blooded animal. However, this excluded mice, birds, rats, and fish, which are still not protected under the AWA.
Does the Animal Welfare Act ensure that companies induce as little pain as possible on animals?
-Yes, the AWA requires that human standards be met at all times. This means that companies are required to provide appropriate pain-killing drugs whenever possible.
How are the laws under the Animal Welfare Act enforced?
-While there are often inspections of companies that conduct animal research, the presence of a member of the Animal Care and Use Committee is required in order to have an outside source of oversight and approval of each experiment.
What else is done to improve the health and well-being of animals used for experimentation?
-Adequate physical living environments are required for primates and things beyond physical necessities(food and water) such as exercise are mandatory for dogs.
Can any company conduct research on animals?
-No, a permit is required to buy, sell, and test on animals under the AWA.
Is there a limit on how many animals can be tested on?
-No, but companies are required to comply extensive amounts of data and record accurate information about all of their testing.
FAQs
Does the Animal Welfare Act regulate what or for what animals can be tested?
-No, the AWA only regulates how the animals are obtained and maintained at a facility.
Are all animals protected under the Animal Welfare Act?
-No, in 1970 an amendment was made that defined the protected species' as any warm blooded animal. However, this excluded mice, birds, rats, and fish, which are still not protected under the AWA.
Does the Animal Welfare Act ensure that companies induce as little pain as possible on animals?
-Yes, the AWA requires that human standards be met at all times. This means that companies are required to provide appropriate pain-killing drugs whenever possible.
How are the laws under the Animal Welfare Act enforced?
-While there are often inspections of companies that conduct animal research, the presence of a member of the Animal Care and Use Committee is required in order to have an outside source of oversight and approval of each experiment.
What else is done to improve the health and well-being of animals used for experimentation?
-Adequate physical living environments are required for primates and things beyond physical necessities(food and water) such as exercise are mandatory for dogs.
Can any company conduct research on animals?
-No, a permit is required to buy, sell, and test on animals under the AWA.
Is there a limit on how many animals can be tested on?
-No, but companies are required to comply extensive amounts of data and record accurate information about all of their testing.