What are the general requirements for when death is used as an endpoint?
Death as an endpoint in animal experiments must be appropriately justified by the investigator and approved by the IACUC. The justification must include the following: • Alternative endpoints that were considered and why death as an endpoint was selected. • If analgesics cannot be used, a justification for why they cannot be used whenever possible. The earliest endpoint of an experiment must be chosen, and the animal should be euthanized to avoid a prolonged or painful death if possible (see Institute for Laboratory Animal Research 41(2): , 2000).
