UCSF Receives Gold-Standard Recognition for Animal Research Program
UC San Francisco has received the gold-standard international re-accreditation for its animal research program, recognizing the University’s commitment to the highest ethical standards in animal care and treatment.
The commendation by the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) is based on an evaluation of the entire UCSF program for animal care and use. It follows a similar, unannounced assessment in June 2013 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which found no concerns in UCSF’s animal research program.
Elizabeth Boyd, PhD, UCSF associate vice chancellor for Ethics and Compliance, issued the following letter on Friday morning to all animal researchers across the University:
Dear UCSF Animal Researchers:
I am very pleased to announce that UCSF has received Continued Full Accreditation from the Council on Accreditation of the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC International). This is an important accomplishment for UCSF since only those institutions that meet or exceed AAALAC standards are awarded accreditation.
Our accreditation is an important indication of our collective commitment to upholding the highest ethical standards for the humane treatment of the animals in our laboratories.
AAALAC conducts an extensive review of our animal research program every 3 years and will be returning in 2015. I ask that you continue to follow your protocol(s) exactly as written and to work closely with IACUC, LARC, and EH&S if you require any assistance. I am confident that if each of us does our part, we will maintain the status of ‘Continued Full Accreditation’ in the future.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth A. Boyd, Ph.D.
Associate Vice Chancellor, Ethics and Compliance
More information on UCSF’s animal research program can be found on the UCSF Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) website.