Case 3A:
Bart Simpson is the manager of the east campus laboratory animal facility of Weeteachtoo University. He believes that the rats under the protocol of Dr. Biggrant are being mistreated. He has witnessed three instances where these rats were returned to cages with other rats while still only semi-conscious. Some of the animals seem to have undergone multiple survival surgeries, when the protocols indicate that the animals only undergo one survival surgery. Also, the mortality/morbidity statistics for his protocol are higher than expected.
The University wants to close the East Campus lab animal facility. This will probably put Bart out of a job. Dr. Biggrant has been a strong supporter of keeping the East Campus facility open. His research dollars enable the University to afford to keep it open. Bart is pretty sure that the East Campus facility would quickly close down if it lost Dr. Biggrant’s support and/or research dollars. Bart and his wife are currently expecting their first child.
What are the issues in this case?
How should Bart handle the situation?
Case 3B: What do you think of the argument that IACUCs should recruit community members from animal right/animal welfare groups?