Assuming that Foulke has an approved protocol to breed mice, these activities with animals are subject to the Health Research Extension Act of 1985 (Public Law 99-158), the Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (PHS Policy), the US Government Principles for the Utilization and Care of Vertebrate Animals Used in Testing, Research and Teaching (US Government Principles), and the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (Guide).
A critical issue for Great Eastern's IACUC is lack of a clearly written guideline on housing animals outside of the central facility. This is an opportune moment for the IACUC to review procedures it follows to meet PHS Policy requirements. An excellent starting place is the Animal Welfare Assurance statement of compliance, with which all IACUC members should be familiar. If the Assurance does not describe clearly how the IACUC functions, then it is time to amend it and develop a policy on the review of activities with animals. The IACUC should also check the latest semiannual program review to determine whether it was functioning appropriately. Minutes from previous meetings may provide documentation supporting the current IACUC's decisions and demonstrate that Foulke was not being persecuted. The Attending Veterinarian may be able to provide written procedures explaining which animals are required to undergo a quarantine procedure and for how long, as well as on the overall veterinary care program. Depending on the circumstances, it may be possible to start breeding the animals while still in quarantine, thereby supporting Foulke's research objectives. Both Foulke and the dean would appreciate such a move.
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