Animal researchers must be objective in their actions and diligent in following the rules and mandates established by regulatory authorities. The purpose of an Animal Use Protocol is to put into place the exact procedures for a given study and to ensure that they comply with the established guidelines.

In this scenario, Stein crossed the line. As an experienced researcher, she should have known that this injury was not life-threatening and that any injury occurring during a study requires a call to the veterinarian before treatment. She should have also been fully aware that it is not acceptable to use drugs that are not approved for a study. Her experience as a researcher should not have allowed these mistakes to occur. We also wonder how valuable this research animal is with only one eye.

The word 'panicked' is key to this breach in protocol. To work outside the approved protocol is unacceptable, especially in this case, where Stein apparently responded emotionally instead of logically and systematically. It is stated in the scenario that she became very upset over the situation, even devastated. This is not a good emotional state to be in when making decisions or carrying out surgery. A few minutes after carrying out the unauthorized surgery, she pulled herself together and successfully contacted the veterinarian. If she had consulted the veterinarian first, then perhaps she could have carried out the same procedure, under clinical care, to assist her injured animal. This should have been her first response to an emergency rather than an afterthought.

Stein allowed her emotions to guide her response in a non-emergency situation and to cloud her professional judgment. Or is there another explanation? Is it possible that, working alone on a Saturday afternoon, she became distracted and didn't observe the mice with enough diligence to stop the fighting before this injury occurred? Then, after the unfortunate injury, perhaps she realized the need to cover up her negligence and used an elaborate emotional story to try to sway the IACUC into believing that she was doing a good deed.

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