Developing Humane Endpoints
Pain caused by some research activities may not be relieved because sedation, analgesia or anesthesia would interfere with the scientific objectives of the study. Regulations require that IACUCs determine that discomfort to animals will be limited to that which is unavoidable for the conduct of scientifically valuable research, and that unrelieved pain and distress will only continue for the duration necessary to accomplish the scientific objectives. Regulations also state that animals that would otherwise suffer severe or chronic pain and distress that cannot be relieved should be painlessly killed at the end of the procedure, or if appropriate, during the procedure.
To meet these requirements protocols should include a plan detailing criteria for humane endpoints for animals to be removed from the study, treated or euthanized. Some appropriate humane experimental endpoints may include animals in a moribund state, animals with tumors that are excessive in relation to body weight or animals with severe central nervous system involvement.
Establishing and implementing humane endpoints should be a collaborative effort of investigators, veterinarians and the animal care staff.
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