Animal Use in Science: Exploring the 3Rs

Module 8

Legal and Ethical Guidance of the Use of Animals in Scientific Research

Competency: Analyze the laws and regulations that guide the use of animals in science in the United States

Learning Objectives:

  • Explore the history of the Animal Welfare Act including how it came to be in its present form, what it does, who it covers and who it exempts
  • Identify the purpose and composition of Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees and how their task is regulated
  • Explore what laws states are passing to address the use of animals in research
  • Evaluate how well current laws and regulations protect research animals 

Assessment: Debate Outline:

  • You establish a position on how well current laws and regulations protect research animals in the US
  • You include a historical perspective to support your position
  • You include evidence from research legislation from other countries or the EU as a group to support your position
  • You identify at least one intended outcome of the public policies supporting your position.
  • You identify at least one unintended outcome/consequence of the public policies supporting your position.
  • You utilize your outline as reference to prepare for participation in a class debate (optional)
Download Materials

Lesson plan, worksheets, and activities (PDF, 1.1 MB)

Presentations:

Animal Welfare Act
(PowerPoint, 36.6 MB)

Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee
(PowerPoint, 54.9 MB)

State Law
(PowerPoint, 29.4 MB

Linked External Standards:

C3 Framework for Social Studies State Standards
  • Civ.1.9-12. Distinguish the powers and responsibilities of local, state, tribal, national, and international civic and political institutions
  • Civ.5.9-12. Evaluate citizens’ and institutions’ effectiveness in addressing social and political problems at the local, state, tribal, national, and/or international level
  • Civ.13.9-12. Evaluate public policies in terms of intended and unintended outcomes, and related consequences
  • Civ.14.9-12. Analyze historical, contemporary, and emerging means of changing societies, promoting the common good, and protecting rights
CCSS- ELA
  • 11-12.7 Integrate and evaluate multiple sources of information presented in diverse formats and media (e.g., quantitative data, video, multimedia) in order to address a question or solve a problem.
  • 9-10.1: Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.
  • 9-10.9 Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.