As one of the nation’s top research institutions, the University of Utah is dedicated to advancing science and medicine to improve the health of people and animals. Practically every drug, treatment, medical device, diagnostic tool, and cure we know of has been developed with the help of laboratory animals. And yet, there are misconceptions about why this work is important, how it’s done, and the care animals receive. To clarify, Erin Rothwell, PhD, the U’s Vice President for Research, addresses common questions.
Animal research is an irreplaceable step for scientists to develop treatments for diseases and disabilities, advance scientific understanding, and find ways to protect the safety of people, animals, and the environment.
For instance, the mRNA vaccines that controlled the spread and severity of COVID-19 were made possible by research with mice. Gene therapy, an exciting new type of medicine now available to treat sickle cell anemia and other diseases, was developed with animal models. And studies with animals led to the creation of the drugs used in modern chemotherapy, providing hope for people with cancer.
This progress is possible because animals are like people in many ways, from our organs to the level of cells and DNA. While new technologies are developed every day, there are still no alternatives that adequately mimic the complexities of an entire living organism. The similarities between people and animals let researchers learn how the body works and make sure that medical treatments are safe and effective without putting people at risk.
At the U, animal research is leading to breakthroughs in medicine. Research with animals led to the discovery of a protein that could protect against, and even reverse, heart failure, a condition affecting more than six million Americans. Mouse research is helping doctors personalize cancer treatment to find the most effective therapies for each patient. Researchers are even developing a new treatment for diabetes based on discoveries made with a “super mouse” that doesn’t get diabetes, heart disease, or kidney disease. These discoveries, and modern medicine as a whole, fundamentally depend on animals as a part of research.
More than 99 percent of animal research at the U is done with rodents, fish, and insects. Larger animals are only used to try to answer questions about health and disease that can’t be answered any other way.
For instance, because nonhuman primates are the most similar animals to humans, they’ve helped scientists learn about conditions including AIDS, obesity, diabetes, and cancer. At the U, nonhuman primates are helping us understand how memory and vision work. Research with dogs at the U is helping us understand how the heart works and develop lifesaving devices for people with heart conditions. Our scientists are developing other potential treatments for heart failure based on research with pigs, which was made possible because of the many similarities between pigs and humans. And research with pigs at many institutions has also led to lifesaving organ transplant methods and better therapies for serious diseases like cystic fibrosis.
Our researchers and animal care workers make every effort to ensure research animals are healthy and comfortable; it’s a moral imperative, but it’s also a requirement for meaningful research. Animals have species-appropriate enrichment and live in spaces where they can socialize, exercise, and play.
Our institutional committee reviews all animal research projects before they begin to see if there is potential for pain and distress. Any projects with that potential must be modified in order to minimize or eliminate that possibility.
The U’s researchers, staff, and veterinarians have compassion for the animals in their care. They are trained to watch for species-specific signs of discomfort, and veterinarians and professional staff check on every animal daily. In the rare instance of pain or distress, a team of veterinarians consults to provide relief, supportive care, or euthanasia if necessary.
Adverse events including accidental deaths are rare, but when they happen it saddens all of us, and we respond to all such events immediately and thoroughly. We proactively report all cases right away, meeting or exceeding federal and state reporting guidelines, and we quickly make changes to lower the chances of an incident happening again. Federal agencies review these reports, and in all cases they have judged our response satisfactory.
It's our duty to keep animals safe, so we prioritize the well-being of animals in our facilities. Both the university and the USDA regularly inspect animal research areas to make sure that all animals are receiving the utmost humane care. We’re committed to continuing to improve our animal care and ensuring humane treatment for every animal in every study.
We meet and routinely exceed the high standards of quality, ethics, and transparency specified through a network of laws and guidelines. Before doing any research with animals, our scientists need to show that their research questions can’t be answered any other way. Everyone involved in animal research, including researchers and care staff, are given species-specific training on handling and caring for the animals responsibly and with respect.
We’re also part of an additional, voluntary independent review program through AAALAC International, an organization that supports humane animal care in research. Our participation and accreditation through this program show our deep commitment to animal care, above and beyond legal requirements.
Throughout the course of a project, our institutional animal care and use committee ensures that research meets the stringent federal, local, and institutional regulations that are in place to support animal welfare. This committee also makes sure that animal facilities are maintained at the highest standards. We have dedicated veterinarians and professional staff who monitor every animal, every day. It would be hard to find people who are more devoted to responsible, ethical, and meaningful research and animal care.
We’re devoted to high-quality science and recognize that is inseparable from humane animal care. I’m excited about the difference we’re making and know that the scientific and medical advances being made here at the U are creating a better future for all of us.