Literature Searches

This Web page was designed to help investigators meet the information requirements of the Animal Welfare Act during the planning of experiments. In particular, it focuses upon the methods and sources available to University of Kentucky scientists for searching the literature. 

Searches performed during preparation of an animal care and use proposal are different from those that focus on a particular research topic. Instead, they are performed to locate information which will minimize use of live animals and provide alternate research methods to provide for their comfort.

A common misunderstanding about "alternatives" is that the term refers only to the replacement of living animals with computer programs or cell cultures. This can lead to a tendency to dismiss the concepts of reduction and refinement of research techniques, or to fail to recognize them as alternatives. 

"The public wants alternatives developed and promoted. Scientists can satisfy these public concerns without compromising the quality of their research. To continue the polarized argument about whether or not animals are needed in research is unproductive. Scientists can show the public that they are greatly concerned about research animal use and distress by instituting and publicizing programs that actively seek ways to reduce animal use and distress, and increase the well-being of laboratory animals."

- Andrew Rowan, D. Phil.; AWIC Newsletter 2(2):April-June 1991

"The goal of the exercise should be to inspire a genuine effort to seek and contrast other methods, which is far more realistic than to document the absolute absence of all possible alternative approaches on some global scale."

- Benjamin J. Weigler, DVM, MPH, PhD; Contemp. Topics Lab. Anim. Sci. 1995

It may be helpful as the animal care and use proposal is developed to focus not on the research experiments, but on the animal itself: its environment, natural biology, and on the procedures the animal will experience.

Last updated 08/01/2008

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