LAM History

Aristotle (384-322 BC)

Founder of biology

First to make dissections that revealed internal differences in animals

Erasistratus (304-250 BC)

Founder of physiology

First to perform experiments on living animals

Utilized crude metabolic cages to study bird physiology

Galen (130-200)

Performed anatomical dissections of pigs, monkeys, sheep, oxen, lions, wolves, birds, at least one elephant, and many other species

His favourite dissection subject was the Barbary ape (Macaca sylvanus)

Andreas Vesalius (1514-1564)

Founder of modern anatomy

Used dogs and pigs in public demonstrations

Francois Magendie (1783-1855)

Studied experimental physiology in animal models

Edward Jenner (1749-1823)

Edward Jenner (1749-1823)

First physician to inoculate against disease

In 1796 Jenner vaccinated (the word vaccine comes from the Latin word vacca meaning cow) a boy with serum collected from a cow pox lesion of a local milk maid

Two months later he challenged the boy with smallpox

Claude Bernard (1813-1878)

Founder of experimental medicine

“…the solution of a physiological or pathological problem often depends solely on the appropriate choice of the animal for the experiment so as to make the result clear and searching”

Robert Koch (1843-1910)

Koch’s postulates were developed using mice infected with anthrax

John Call Dalton (1825-1889)

Included live demonstrations in animals in his teaching at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City – forerunners for the “animal labs” common in the medical and science education

Louis Pasteur (1822-1895)

He developed the process of pasteurization to prevent wine from souring, and then in milk to prevent it from spoiling. 

His in-vivo work utilizing a disease of silk worms led him to discover the germ theory of disease that is perhaps the single most important medical discovery of all time.

“Accidently” developed attenuated chicken pox vaccine

Created heat attenuated anthrax vaccine

In 1885, developed first rabies vaccine using a rabbit model

D. E. Salmon (1850-1914)

First D.V.M. in the U.S., Cornell University, 1879. 

The bacterial genus Salmonella is named for D.E. Salmon.

Simon Brimhall (1863-1941)

First veterinarian to fill a position in laboratory animal medicine at the Mayo Clinic.

His position was the prototype for the present role of laboratory animal veterinarians.

Carl Schlotthauer (1893-1959)

First veterinarian to attain a full professorship for laboratory animal medicine-related academic activities.

He was active in community humane society activities.

Was a founding member of the Animal Care Panel (ACP), the precursor to the American Association of Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS).

He was a charter Diplomate of the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (ACLAM).

Dr. Schlotthauer was attached to the Veterinary Corps during the First World War

Karl Meyer (1884-1974)

Dr. Meyer was a pathologist and a bacteriologist and an expert in tropical medicine. 

Author of a review of laboratory animal diseases in 1928, one of the first publications of its kind in America.

Dr. Meyer was an early advocate of the participation of veterinarians in the operation of institutional laboratory animal colonies.

He was a member of the U.S. Army Epidemiology Board.

Charles Griffin (1889-1955)

Dr. Griffin pioneered the concept of the development of ‘disease free’ animal colonies.

His work with Salmonella transmission led feed manufacturers to improve the processing of laboratory animal diets.

In 1952 his paper on bacterial diseases in lab animals was the most thorough treatment to date.

Dr. Griffin was a Second lieutenant in the Sanitary Corps during World War 1.

The Charles A. Griffin Award is the oldest AALAS award, first presented in 1956 to an individual or group of individuals who have demonstrated ethical scientific and/or technological advancements in humane experimentation or improved animal care practices.

Nathan Brewer (1904-2009)

In 1945, his position at the University of Chicago was created to increase the public confidence in the university’s animal use at a time when Chicago was a hot bed for antivivisection activists.

One of the five founding members and the first president (1950-1955) of ACP (now AALAS).

He served as the first president of ACLAM from 1957-1959.

Influential in the founding of ILAR.

The Nathan R. Brewer Award was established in 1994 and recognizes an individual for outstanding lifelong contributions to the improvement of care, quality, and environment of animals used in biologic and medical research.

National Association of Biomedical Research

Founded in 1979, NABR provides a unified voice for the scientific community on legislative and regulatory matters affecting laboratory animal research.

NABR works to safeguard the future of biomedical research that involves the responsible, humane, and ethical use of animals.

Lobbyists working to support biomedical research.

Foundation for Biomedical Research (FBR)

Mission:

Being a voice for ethical research

Creating materials to help research scientists communicate with the public

Create public-facing materials to help students with their research

Promote communications to heighten understanding

Public relations supporting biomedical research.

American Association for Laboratory Animal Science

Began in 1950 as the Animal Care Panel (ACP).

The ACP grew out of informal meetings begun in 1946 that Dr. Nathan Brewer organized in Chicago for local and visiting lab animal veterinarians to meet and discuss issues pertinent to their work. First meeting held on November 28, 1950.

Second meeting – drafted “animal care standards” and “regulations for the care of the dog”.

Wrote the first “Guide for Laboratory Animal Facilities and Care” in 1963.

Became AALAS in 1967.

Publish Laboratory Animal Science Professional, JAALAS, Comparative Medicine

Mission Statement: AALAS is an association of professionals that advances responsible laboratory animal care and use to benefit people and animals.

Institute for Laboratory Animal Research (ILAR)

The National Research Council appointed the Animal Resource Committee in 1952 and recommended establishment of an Institute of Animal Resources (IAR), becoming ILAR in the late 1990s.

ILAR is the major standards-development organization within lab animal science. 

In 1962, the executive committees of AALAS and ILAR agreed on ILAR’s role in standards development – all subsequent versions of the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals published by ILAR.

Developed the first guidelines for education and training in lab animal medicine in 1967 (committee led by LTC Robert Yager, WRAIR).

Fall within the National Academies (Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine).

Previously published the ILAR Journal (quarterly) but continue to publish a lot of resources through the National Academies Press.

American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine

During the 1952 AVMA meeting, 34 veterinarians assembled to consider the role of veterinarians in lab animal care.  The group organized as the “Committee on the Medical Care of Laboratory Animals” and was chaired by Dr. Nathan Brewer.

The College was chartered on February 18, 1957 and was recognized by the American Veterinary Medical Association as a specialty board.

The College was originally established as the American Board of Laboratory Animal Medicine by 18 “Charter Fellows".  Five of these charter members received their training/experience in the uniformed services.

“Diplomate” adopted on August 24, 1961.

Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International

AAALAC consists of:

AAALAC Member Organizations – more than 60

Council on Accreditation - North American, Pacific Rim, and European

Council Emeriti

Ad hoc consultants/specialists

Board of Directors

Administrative staff

More than 1100 organizations in 50 countries are currently accredited by AAALAC (October 2024).

AAALAC International relies on Three Primary Standards to evaluate programs. The Guide, NRC 2011, the Guide for the Care and Use of Agricultural Animals in Research and Teaching, FASS 2020), and the European Convention for the Protection of Vertebrate Animals Used for Experimental and Other Scientific Purposes, Council of Europe (ETS 123)

The American Society of Laboratory Animal Practitioners

On July 11, 1967 ASLAP was incorporated in the State of Illinois and recognized as an ancillary organization of the AVMA.

In 1971, gained a voting representative in the House of Delegates of the AVMA. Only organization to officially represent lab animal veterinarians in the AVMA governance.

Became an affiliate of AALAS in 1986.

Mission: advance laboratory animal practitioners through career development, recruitment, and representation in the greater professional community.

Association of Primate Veterinarians

Workshop in the Clinical Care of Nonhuman Primates – 1973 NIH Bethesda – 43 DVMs

Became APV in 1983

~400 veterinarians across academia, research, zoos, breeders/importers & NPRCs

Objectives:

promote the dissemination of information relating to the health, care and welfare of nonhuman primates

to provide a mechanism by which primate veterinarians may speak collectively on matters regarding nonhuman primates

to promote fellowship among primate veterinarians

Why was the animal welfare act created?

In 1966, in response to public out cry, generated by two articles in the popular press, Congress passed the Laboratory Animal Welfare Act. The name of the Act has since been changed to the Animal Welfare Act. 

The principal purposes were to regulate commercial traffic in animals and to establish standards for their housing and transportation and to provide adequate veterinary care.

The original Animal welfare act

The 1966 Act set minimum standards for the handling, sale, and transport of cats, dogs, nonhuman primates, rabbits, hamsters, and guinea pigs held by animal dealers or pre-research in laboratories.

It required laboratories be licensed and provide identification for their animals. 

Research facilities only had to register if they received government funding and the dogs or cats crossed state lines.

Dealers had to be licensed only if animals crossed state lines.

AWA 1970 ammendment

1970 Amendment to the AWA

Expanded the definition of ‘animal’ to include all warm-blooded laboratory animals, removing the earlier narrow focus on six species.

In-state and interstate transported animals all now fell under USDA’s oversight.

There was a requirement for the appropriate use of anesthetics and other tranquillizing drugs during animal experiments. 

Addressed an increased understanding of the importance of animal welfare and the need for minimal standards to care for research animals (not just pre-research).

AWA 1976 amendment

1976 Amendment to the AWA

Resulted from public concern over dog fighting.  

Outlawed the interstate or foreign transport of animals used in fighting ventures.

Required transportation carriers to be licensed.

Established standards for shipping containers, feed, water, rest, ventilation, temperature, and handling in order to promote better care for animals during their transport.

AWA 1985 amendment

1985 Amendment to the AWA

Expanded AWA to animals on exhibit and captive marine mammals.

Added exercise requirements for dogs and psychological well-being for primates.

Establishment IACUCs to oversee animal care and use at registered institutions.

Required alternative and duplication searches.

Increased USDA power and ability to fine.

Established the Animal Welfare Information Center.

AWA 1990 amendment

1990 Amendment to the AWA

Created a requirement that all dogs and cats be held at shelters for at least 5 days to allow pet owners or prospective owners the chance to claim/adopt the animal and to ensure that the animals were obtained legally.

AWA 2002 Amendment

2002 Amendment to the AWA

Prior to 2002 the Secretary of Agriculture administratively excluded all rats, mice, and birds from the definition of animal.

Due to a law suit against the USDA this amendment clarified the exemptions was only “birds, mice of the genus Mus, and rats of the genus Rattus, bred for use in research.”

AWA 2007 amendment

2007 Amendment to the AWA

Prohibits selling, buying, transporting, or delivering any sharp instrument for attachment to the leg of a bird for use in an animal fighting venture.

2008 AWA Amendment

2008 Amendment to the AWA

Strengthened the penalties related to animal fighting to include prohibitions on possession, training and advertising animals or sharp instruments for use in animal fighting.

Increasing criminal penalties (imprisonment & fines)

Contained language prohibiting import for resale of dogs unless they are at least six months of age, in good health, and have all necessary vaccinations.

2013 Amendment to the AWA

2013 Amendment to the AWA

Modified the definition of ‘‘exhibitor’’ – excludes ‘‘[A]n owner of a common, domesticated household pet who derives less than a substantial portion of income from a nonprimary source (as determined by the Secretary) for exhibiting an animal that exclusively resides at the residence of the pet owner.’’

AWA 2019 amendment

2019 Amendment to the AWA

Prohibits animal fighting in U.S. territories such as Guam, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands, where animal fighting was previously permitted by local laws

The guide

In 1963, NIH published the first edition of the “Guide for Laboratory Animal Facilities and Care,” it was developed by the Standards Committee of the ACP.

Revised several times since 1963 by ILAR’s Committee on Revision of the Guide, it is now the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. 

Since 1963, NIH and other granting agencies have required scientific institutions to provide assurance of compliance with the standards in the guide as a condition for receiving funds for research.

The guide, published in 2011 in its eighth edition, is arguably the most influential document in the LAM field.

Training program history for lab animal medicine

Prior to the establishment of ACLAM in 1957, veterinarians working in laboratory animal care were largely self trained.

NIH started to fund training grants (T32) to fund training programs in laboratory animal medicine.

The first training program was funded and established at Bowman Gray Medical School in January of 1960.

ILAR first published training guidelines in 1967, but now ACLAM oversees the formal process that reviews and approves training programs in lab animal medicine.