The Institute for Laboratory Animal Research has released "Recognition and Alleviation of Distress in Laboratory Animals," a new publication about the stress and distress experienced by animals used for biomedical research.

The book aims to educate laboratory animal veterinarians, students, researchers, investigators, animal care staff, and animal welfare officers on the current scientific and ethical issues associated with stress and distress in laboratory animals.

"Recognition" evaluates pertinent scientific literature to generate practical and pragmatic guidelines. The book focuses on the scientific understanding of the causes and the functions of stress and distress, the transformation of stress to distress, and the identification of principles for the recognition and alleviation of distress.

It discusses the role of humane endpoints in situations of distress and principles for the minimization of distress in laboratory animals. "Recognition" also identifies areas in which further scientific investigation is needed to improve laboratory animal welfare in order to adhere to scientific and ethical principles that promote humane care and practice.

Copies of "Recognition and Alleviation of Distress in Laboratory Animals" may be ordered from National Academies Press by calling (888) 624-8373. PDF versions of the book can be downloaded for a fee from the NAP site at www.nap.edu/.