While many people are familiar with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals’ high-profile advertising campaigns against the mistreatment of animals, the biomedical research community often remains quiet amid public assaults on animal research.

The imposition of stricter laws and regulations governing research over the past 30 years signifies success for animal rights groups, but many activists believe vast improvements stand to be made. Researchers contend, however, that the use of animals in research is a necessary and humane way to conduct studies and further scientific efforts. Despite their differing ideological views, animal rights activists and scientists at the University and beyond say the ongoing struggle is likely to continue to impact future research ventures.

Frankie Trull, president of the Foundation for Biomedical Research, said initial policy to protect animal research was crafted in 1966. However, legislation was not clearly outlined until 1985, when amendments made to the Animal Welfare Act set forth more comprehensive regulations for the use of lab animals.

“The AWA set standards with regard to their housing, cleanliness, ventilation and medical needs,” Trull said. “It also requires the use of anesthesia or analgesic drugs.”

Trull added that updates to the U.S. Public Health Service Act in 2002 made it harder for institutions to receive grants from federal institutions such as the Food and Drug Administration or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“Under the PHS policy, institutions must follow detailed animal care recommendations and establish an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee to ensure that all animals are treated responsibly and humanely,” Trull said.

Pat Brown, director of the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare at the National Institute of Health, said a peer review system is in place to provide funding only towards quality projects that have exceeded federal standards.

“The laws and policies require federally-supported scientists to be accountable from the time they first plan their research and to the time the research is completed to protect the welfare of animals used in research,” Brown said.

Nevertheless, according to PETA, peer review and animal care and use committees don’t effectively prevent studies that endanger animals. PETA’s website states that many committees approve studies “without question” and do not fairly represent the interests of animals.

Despite controversy over the ethics of animal studies, Ian Demsky, spokesman for the University of Michigan Health System, wrote in an e-mail that University research has progressed significantly through the use of animal research.

Demsky listed several major medical advances made by the University as a result of animal research, including the extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, which was developed using a sheep model in the 1970s and now helps patients maintain heart and lung functions worldwide.

Robert Dysko, director of the University’s Unit for Laboratory Animal Medicine, said the University implemented multiple policies to ensure animal safety before stricter laws took effect, including the formation of the University Committee on the Use and Care of Animals.

“The University of Michigan takes pride in the animal care programs and the animal research efforts that are undertaken here at the University,” Dysko said. “We all take our roles very seriously.