Animal Use in Research and Education

The University at Buffalo recognizes that scientific and medical knowledge gained through animal research has saved countless lives, has improved human and animal health and has alleviated global pain and suffering. This research is an essential component of medical advancement and over the years it has contributed improvements in both health and treatments, as well as, medical breakthroughs for both humans and animals. Some of the top researchers in the country are working at UB researching treatments for cancer, heart attacks and strokes using animal research. UB does not test consumer goods (e.g. cosmetics) on animals.

UB's Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) reviews all section of a research and/or teaching protocol that involves animals.  Federal and state statutes as well as the Public Health Service Animal Welfare Policy require that all research institutions establish an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). Under these regulatory mandates, UB's IACUC is charged with the responsibility and authority for oversight of the proper care and use of all laboratory animals.

UB's IACUC employs the use of Animal Welfare Regulations CFR, Title 9, Chapter 1, Subchapter A, Parts 1, 2 and 3 along with The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals to assure the University is in compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations, as well as, University policy and Assurance to the Office for Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW).

The university provides extensive training and careful supervision of all personnel working with animals.  The University's Animal Care Program and Laboratory Animal Facilities are fully accredited by the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) International through a rigorous peer review process. AAALAC accreditation confirms to external organizations and the public – that UB provides quality, scientific validity and accountability in its use and care of animals in research.