Who Cares About the Animals Used in Research?

There are many different roles for people who work with and care about animals in research.  Usually we just think of the scientists who supervise specific projects or the veterinarians who are responsible for the health of all animals in a research facility.  But there are many people whose roles are less visible or who work behind the scenes.  These include:  animal technologists with special training in the area of laboratory medicine, "lay" (non-professional) members of IACUCs, and medical photographers & illustrators.  Here, some of these folks provide info about the work they do, discuss their specific   responsibilities regarding animal well-being and comment on factors that influenced their opinions about the use of animals in research.    

• Laboratory animal technologists care about animals used in research
  
  
• Meet a laboratory animal technologist
     
• The lay / community member of an institutional animal care and use committee (IACUC)
     
• The staff of a laboratory animal unit in a Norwegian research facility invite you on a tour