Spencer wrote his protocol, had it approved and followed the procedures outlined in the protocol for breeding his frogs. The only problem is that he isn't doing the research that he outlined and justified in his IACUC protocol. Although Spencer's frogs are not covered by the provisions of the Animal Welfare Act, generally all IACUC protocols require “identification and appropriateness of the species and number of animals to be used”1,2. The principle of the 3Rs applies specifically to “procedures that can cause more than slight or momentary pain or distress in animals, consistent with sound research design”3 and thus would not limit Spencer's breeding program. The description of the research project, as outlined in the original protocol, however, is clearly not being followed.
This situation, as Sawyer has pointed out, also does not follow the spirit of the 3Rs in reducing the total number of animals used. When Sawyer discovered the situation, he correctly requested the breeding and research records. The approved protocol allows Spencer to breed 1,000 frogs per year and to use half of them, or all of the females, in his research. If he has reached his breeding quota for the year, he must return to the IACUC for approval and justification for additional breeding to take place. As justification would require adequate description of the use of the first 1,000 frogs, the situation would be clearly defined for the IACUC. The IACUC could then determine whether 'unforeseen delays' constitute sufficient justification for Spencer to continue breeding these animals and, if so, for how much time or how many frogs.
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