The Humane Society of the United States has examined UNC's legally mandated reports to the U.S. Department of Agriculture; in our view these documents indicate that the University has improperly reported pain and distress in research animals. UNC reported that 9,079 regulated animals were used for research from 1996-98 (the most recent years for which data are available) and that not a single animal experienced unrelieved pain and distress. We find this difficult to believe, as should everyone.
Statistics reported by other countries, such as Canada, indicate that up to 38 percent of research animals experience pain and distress. By comparison, the United States reports only 9 percent; however, this is still significantly higher than 0 percent reported by UNC.
How is it possible that a leading U.S. research institution conducting research on cancer, cystic fibrosis and neurological diseases does not have regulated animals that suffer from unrelieved pain and distress?
This not only represents questionable reporting but also suggests that pain and distress are not being properly recognized and/or minimized at UNC as required by the federal Animal Welfare Act
Andrew Rowan
Senior Vice President of Research, Education and International Affairs
The Humane Society of the United States
