Laboratory Animals: An Introduction for New Experimenters

The UK Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 comes into force on 1st January 1987, replacing the 1876 Cruelty to Animals Act. The new regulations will not only apply to work on all living vertebrates, but will have a much wider scope, covering any work of an experimental/scientific nature which may have the effect of causing an animal pain, suffering, distress or lasting harm. This new book, which is closely based on an established training course, covers in detail all the major procedures which an experimenter might need to know to produce worthwhile, and reliable studies using laboratory animals within the scope of the new Act; in so doing it tries to ensure that an animal will be treated as humanely as our current knowledge or understanding makes possible. A significant factor in the design of such experiments is the initial choice of animals and the genetic, microbiological and temperamental qualities of the major species of laboratory animal are discussed in some detail, together with their correct housing and general handling. Major chapters follow on inoculation and drug administration, preparation for surgery, anaesthesia and analgesia, surgical techniques, and post-surgical care. The recent UK legislation is part of a worldwide trend to impose tighter controls on such work, and two important chapters discuss the ethical issues involved and compare the UK laws with the legislation in other countries such as the United States, Canada and Europe; as such it provides a significant contribution to this often emotive and publicly discussed topic.