IACUC searching for alternatives: The Narrative Review

Retain your search string (keywords used in your search query) so that you can copy and paste the search string from your database search into the alternatives search section of your IACUC protocol.  This allows IACUC officials to review the subjects of your search and ensure that all necessary procedures are included. You may want to save the search string itself in your protocol or other records in case you need to update or renew your protocol in the future.

Next, write your narrative (in 250 words or less) addressing the 3Rs. Be sure to explicitly reference your search (eg "Our search did not find alternatives to..." or "Our search found x alternative, but this is not useful for our current experimental goals because..."). You can use these questions to address each R:

• Replace -- Did your search, consultation with colleagues, or your professional experience find any way you can use non-animal models  to answer your research question(s)? If not, why not?
  • You can mention if you have incorporated non-animal models (in-silico, in-vitro, or manikin models) that you or colleagues in your field use to replace live animals in research or why live animals are needed under the current protocol.
• Reduce -- Did your search find any way you can reduce the number of animals that you use, without jeopardizing the power of your research results? 
  • Briefly reference your animal number analysis (power analysis, proposed pilot, or prior work) indicating your process for determining animal numbers.  Mention reductions you have made (using animals as their own control, etc.).
• Refine -- Did your search, consultation with colleagues, or your professional experience find less invasive procedures or those which cause less pain or distress be used? If not, why?
  • Refinement is a continuing process you can include key refinements you have implemented for the current protocol. Cornell CARE vet staff using best practices to anesthetize or involved in reducing pain or distress in an animal is a refinement.

Need more help?  Contact the Cornell IACUC or the librarians at the Flower-Sprecher Veterinary Library.

Additional information can be found at the USDA National Agricultural Library's guide to searching the literature for animal use alternatives, which includes sample searches, keyword lists, lists of potentially relevant databases and gray literature, form to request assistance from the Animal Welfare Information Center, and more.