Division strives to protect animals

More than two years after People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals filed a formal complaint about alleged animal abuse at UNC, officials said the appropriate care for these furry subjects is a high priority.

While the Division of Laboratory Animal Medicine is not involved in research, the veterinary care unit performs diagnostic tests to regulate the University's animal research practices.

The division, which is responsible for the care of all live vertebrate animals on campus, comprises 80 professional, technical and administrative personnel who work in various locations at UNC.

"It's entirely a service unit," said Tony Waldrop, vice chancellor for research and economic development. "We could not function without them."

DLAM technicians also are responsible for feeding, watering and maintaining cages - all of which require meticulous documentation.

Waldrop said that since the 2002 allegations, steps have been taken to strengthen standing policies.

"We continue to enhance the quality of the program," he said.

Steps to improve the program's practices include the appointment of a new director to the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee - a review committee comprising 22 members required of every research institution in the United States.

The IACUC's obligations include reviewing research and teaching plans for conducting tests on live vertebrates as well as inspecting the facilities where animals are kept.

"(IACUC) is charged with assuring that the animal research done on this campus is done humanely and according to all regulations and policies," said Tracy Heenan, director of the committee.

One of the biggest additions the unit has made is the development of a laboratory animal coordinator certification program, she said.

Heenan said that there are about 400 labs that partake in animal research at UNC and that each lab must appoint a laboratory coordinator who is certified by IACUC.

New classes are offered for lab workers, including a mouse-handling technique class.

Heenan said the DLAM's director, John Bradfield, has been involved with improvements that have been made to ensure that UNC's animal research adheres to regulations.

Waldrop said that these new programs are essential to research at the University and that UNC's research is only as good as the quality of its lab animals.

"The quality of our research will be reflected by how well we take care of our animals," he said.

Heenan said that sometimes the public gets a skewed view of animal research but that virtually every medical cure has resulted from animal testing.

"A lot of times what gets out there to the young people and the public is only the animal rights activists' side of things," she said. "It is important for researchers to vocalize the importance of animal research."

Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.