Working with laboratory animals: general principles and practical considerations

Laboratory animals play an indispensable role in research discovery and technological advances, and they will continue to yield basic, exciting, and prodigious information that can enrich the future of people and other animals. For both ethical and scientific reasons, all-individuals whose work requires the use of laboratory animals must take the time to conduct a thorough review of the literature to determine what animal models are available and which are the most relevant, and they must learn and understand the uniqueness of the selected species, breed, and strain. Scientists have the privilege, but not the right, to use animals as experimental subjects. This privilege must not be abused. Therefore, it is imperative that before working with any laboratory animal, you know your "subject."