The National Institutes of Health is exploring the need to update its Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.

The NIH first published the guide in 1963—with revisions in 1965, 1968, 1972, 1978, 1985, and 1996. The guide assists institutions in caring for and using animals in ways that are scientifically, technically, and humanely appropriate.

The NIH is seeking new scientific information that might warrant a revision of the 1996 guide, particularly on these topics:

• the macro- and microenvironment of animal facilities
• housing for laboratory animals—including space, temperature and humidity, ventilation, acoustics, and illumination
• structural and social environment of animals
• husbandry, sanitation, and pest control
• disease and disease manifestations in laboratory animals
• population management of genetically modified animals
• physical plant standards
• the topics listed in Appendix A, Selected Bibliography, of the 1996 guide

Parties, individuals, or organizations may submit the following:

• articles or citations for articles published in reputable, peer-reviewed scientific journals since the development of the 1996 guide
• science-based information or scientific principles concerning the humane care and use of laboratory animals developed and widely accepted by the research community and not addressed in the 1996 guide
• newly published, science-based standards for animal environment, housing, management, and structural design not cited in the 1996 guide

The deadline for responses is Feb. 28. Respondents should identify submissions with RFI No. NOT-OD-06-011 and send three copies to Margaret Snyder, Director, Office of Scientific Affairs, Office of Extramural Research, OD, NIH, 6705 Rockledge I, Suite 4184, MSC 7983, Bethesda, MD 20892-7983; e-mail, ScientificAffairs@od.nih.gov.

The NIH request for information is also available at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-06-011.html. The guide is available at www.nap.edu/readingroom/books/labrats/.