Students are not the only ones involved in accredited programs at Mississippi State. Each reptile, fish, mammal and bird under university control is part of a program meeting the highest standards for animal care and use.
University officials recently received word the animal care and use program was granted continued accreditation by the American Association for the Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care. The scientific community widely accepts AAALAC accreditation as a demonstration that an animal program has a high level of excellence and provides a humane animal care and use approach.
Dr. John Harkness, university lab animal veterinarian, said an accreditation team evaluates animals in the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Veterinary Medicine during the reviews every three years.
"The accreditation process is based on an extensive self-evaluation and a peer review by veterinarians and researchers experienced in lab animal management issues," Harkness said. "Careful consideration is given not only to the care of the animals, but also to the quality and validity of the research."
In addition to the animals passing through the Animal Health Center, large numbers of chickens, catfish and cattle are being studied at MSU.
"Most of the research at Mississippi State is directed toward the benefit of Mississippi agriculture," Harkness said.
Dr. Gene New, executive director of AAALAC, said the accreditation team looks for alternative techniques to make research easier for animals. They also look for alternatives to using animals.
"We want to be sure the studies are appropriate — not unnecessary," New said. "The worth of the program is evaluated to make sure it is not being conducted for some type of self interest."
New said AAALAC accredits about 600 animal care and use programs. In addition to academic institutions, accreditation evaluations are requested by government labs, companies and nonprofit groups.
Harkness said many funding institutions will not provide research grants to non-accredited animal programs. The university's lab animal practices have been accredited since 1992.
During 1995 through 1996, Harkness is serving as the chairman of the Council on Accreditation of AAALAC.
This World Wide Web version of MSU Memo was modified and updated by Chris Brown.
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Last modified: Friday, 14-Jun-2002 15:59:05 CDT.
URL: http://msuinfo.ur.msstate.edu/msu_memo/1995/6-26-95/animal.htm
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