The IACUC at Great Eastern previously has reviewed and approved protocols which utilize cardiac arterial ligation in mice. Even though the surgical expertise does not reside in the AV's office or in Sturkie's laboratory, skilled personnel willing to teach the technique are available within the institution. The proposed training scheme, to utilize cadaver animals first and then perform the procedure in living animals on a non-survival basis, is a logical way in which to instruct research personnel while minimizing pain and distress in the animals. If the AV himself were training researchers on the procedure, he would likely choose this same stepwise validation of the research surgeons' proficiency.
That said, the AV is justifiably cautious with regard to this technically complex procedure. He (or the IACUC chair) could suggest that the IACUC approve a portion of the animals for the study on a 'pilot' basis, allowing lab personnel to learn the procedure and demonstrate their proficiency. It would be valuable for the AV or his designee to observe portions of the training; even though he may not feel confident in teaching the procedures himself, he can observe the proficiency of both the trainer and the trainee and evaluate factors such as anesthesia, intra-operative support and appropriate clinical endpoints. To pursue his analogy of the hazardous agent or radiation studies, he essentially would be performing a risk assessment to assure that the lab personnel have taken appropriate measures to minimize the animals' pain and distress.
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