AAALAC International

Wistar rat

AAALAC International (Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International) is a private, nonprofit organization that promotes the humane treatment of animals in science through voluntary accreditation and assessment programs. AAALAC International works with research institutions and other entities that use animals in science to help ensure that their care and use are conducted at the highest standards of ethics and quality.

History

AAALAC International was founded in 1965 with the goal of enhancing the quality of research, teaching, and testing by promoting humane, responsible animal care and use. It provides a voluntary accreditation program for institutions that use animals in research, education, and testing. The accreditation process involves a comprehensive assessment of the institution's animal care and use program, including the evaluation of animal housing, management, veterinary care, and the institution's adherence to applicable laws, regulations, and guidelines.

Accreditation Process

The accreditation process by AAALAC International is rigorous and involves a detailed review of an institution's animal care and use program. This process includes:

1. Submission of an extensive application by the institution, detailing its animal care and use program. 2. A site visit by a team of AAALAC International evaluators, who are experts in laboratory animal science and animal welfare. 3. Evaluation of the institution's program against AAALAC's standards, which are based on the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, the European Directive 2010/63/EU, and other applicable standards. 4. The institution may be awarded full accreditation, accreditation with conditions, or denied accreditation based on the findings of the evaluation team.

Benefits of Accreditation

Accreditation by AAALAC International offers several benefits to institutions, including:

- Recognition of commitment to high standards of animal care and use. - Assurance to regulatory bodies, funding agencies, and the public that the institution is committed to ethical and responsible animal research. - Potential for enhanced collaboration with other research entities that value AAALAC accreditation. - Access to a network of professionals and resources to support continuous improvement in animal care and use.

Standards and Guidelines

AAALAC International bases its accreditation standards on widely recognized documents, including:

- Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals - European Directive 2010/63/EU on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes - The Animal Welfare Act (in the United States) - Other relevant local, national, and international laws and guidelines

Global Impact

AAALAC International's accreditation program has a global reach, with accredited institutions in more than 50 countries. This international presence underscores the organization's commitment to promoting the humane treatment of animals worldwide in science.

Criticism and Challenges

While AAALAC International is widely respected for its role in promoting high standards of animal care and use, it has faced criticism from animal rights groups who argue that voluntary accreditation may not be sufficient to ensure the humane treatment of animals in all cases. Additionally, the organization faces challenges in adapting its standards and processes to accommodate new scientific techniques and ethical considerations in animal research.

Conclusion

AAALAC International plays a crucial role in promoting the humane treatment of animals in science through its voluntary accreditation program. By setting high standards for animal care and use, AAALAC helps ensure that research, teaching, and testing involving animals are conducted ethically and responsibly.