Use and Care of Non-Human Vertebrate Animals

On this page
  1. Why Are These Rules Necessary?
  2. Does a Project Involve Non-Human Vertebrate Animals?
  3. Before Beginning a Project, Students Must:
  4. General Care Requirements
  5. Working with Behavioral, Learning, or Conditioning Studies
  6. Working with Chicken or Other Bird Embryos
  7. Cultures from Vertebrate Animals
  8. Special Rules for Work Done at a Certified Laboratory

Why Are These Rules Necessary?

The basic aim of experiments involving animals is to achieve an understanding of life processes and to further society’s knowledge. Experiments requiring the use of vertebrates must have a clearly defined objective, investigate a biological principle, and/or answer a scientific inquiry. Such experiments must be conducted with a respect for life and an appreciation of humane considerations.

To the degree possible, students should be cautioned about doing projects that involve vertebrates. However, if the teacher and the student feel that vertebrates must be used, the following rules must and will apply.

It is strongly recommended that living organisms such as plants, bacteria, fungi, protists, worms, snails, insects, or other invertebrates be used. Their wide availability, simplicity of care, and subsequent disposal make them very suitable for student work.

These rules are designed to protect vertebrate animals while helping students develop the humane and responsible research practices expected of professional scientists.

Projects that do not follow these rules may be disqualified from the Illinois Junior Academy of Science (IJAS) Science Fair.

Does a Project Involve Non-Human Vertebrate Animals?

These rules apply if a project involves:

  • mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish;
  • chicken or other bird embryos;
  • maze running, learning, conditioning, or behavioral studies involving vertebrate animals;
  • changing the environment, diet, housing, or other conditions of a vertebrate animal; or
  • any other experimentation involving a living non-human vertebrate animal.

If a student or teacher sponsor is unsure whether these rules apply to a project, students should contact their teacher sponsor. The teacher sponsor must clarify questions with the Regional Safety Chair before students begin research.

If a project involves human participants, microorganisms, biological materials, or non-vertebrate organisms, read the separate section for safety for those projects.

Before Beginning a Project, Students Must:

  1. Read these IJAS Use and Care of Non-Human Vertebrate Animals with their sponsor.
  2. High school students must also read and follow all applicable ISEF Safety Rules.All sponsors must discuss proper use of AI in research with all of their students.
  3. Prepare all surveys, interview questions, consent forms, tests, and other materials that will be used with human participants.
  4. Write the procedure for the experiment following all IJAS and ISEF (high school) safety rules. High School Students will use this in their ISEF Research Plan form 1A.
  5. Complete a Background Research document. High School students will use this in their ISEF Research Plan form 1A.
  6. Clearly define the objective of the investigation;
  7. Ensure that the project investigates a biological principle and/or answers a scientific inquiry;
  8. Consider whether plants, microorganisms, protists, worms, snails, insects, or other invertebrates could be used instead;
  9. Develop procedures that respect life and humane considerations;
  10. Obtain any required approval for Special Circumstances/Exceptions; and
  11. Begin a project only AFTER all required paperwork and approvals have been obtained and completed.
  12. Complete the Non-Human Vertebrate Endorsement Form with a sponsor prior to experimentation;

No non-human vertebrate projects will be allowed that are in violation of these rules. No person may perform an experiment for the student that violates these rules, and no person may give permission for a project that violates these rules except in approved Special Circumstances/Exceptions.

General Care Requirements

Students and sponsors working with non-human vertebrate animals must:

  • provide proper care in well-ventilated and properly lighted locations;
  • provide proper nutrition;
  • maintain proper temperature;
  • provide adequate water;
  • maintain sanitary surroundings;
  • ensure that organisms are properly cared for during weekends and vacation periods; and
  • conduct all experimentation with respect for life and an appreciation of humane considerations.

The student and the sponsor are responsible for ensuring that all animals receive proper care throughout the investigation.

Working with Behavioral, Learning, or Conditioning Studies

Projects involving maze running and other learning or conditioning activities must:

  • not withhold food or water for more than 24 hours; and
  • not withhold food or water from an animal with a high metabolic rate for a length of time that would produce undue stress on the animal.

Behavioral studies must follow all other applicable non-human vertebrate animal rules.

Working with Chicken or Other Bird Embryos

Chicken or other bird embryo projects are allowed, but:

  • experimental treatment must be discontinued at or before 72 hours before the scheduled hatch day; and
  • Seventy-two hours before the scheduled hatch day time or before, the egg must be destroyed.

Projects involving behavioral studies of newly hatched chickens or other birds are allowed if no changes have been made in the normal incubation and hatching of the organism and all vertebrate animal rules are followed.

Only non-manipulated eggs may be hatched.

Cultures from Vertebrate Animals

Projects involving cultures from warm-blooded animals must follow the applicable Biological Materials rules. No primary or secondary cultures involving warm-blooded animals may be taken:

  • directly from the mouth, throat, skin, or other parts of the animal; or
  • indirectly from cage debris, droppings, countertops, or similar materials or surfaces.

Primary or secondary cultures include the growth of microorganisms, tissue cells, or other living matter in a specially prepared nutrient medium.

Cultures purchased from reputable biological supply houses or research facilities are suitable for student use when conducted according to the applicable microorganism rules.

These Actions Are Not Allowed When Working with Vertebrate Animals that:

  • use invasive or pain-producing procedures, including surgery, injections, blood collection, burns, or electrical stimulation;
  • subject animals to undue stress, pain, injury, or risk of death;
  • administer over-the-counter, prescription, illegal drugs, or alcohol to measure their effects;
  • make potentially harmful environmental changes without prior approval;
  • withhold food or water long enough to cause undue stress or for more than 24 hours in learning/conditioning studies;
  • prepare primary or secondary cultures from warm-blooded animals or materials contaminated by them;
  • experimentally manipulate bird embryos within 72 hours of hatching or hatch experimentally manipulated eggs.

Special Rules for Work Done at a Certified Laboratory

If research is conducted at a certified laboratory or research facility, high school students must complete the Regulated Institution form-2C. Middle school students must include a letter from the laboratory director or supervising scientist along with the safety sheet and any appropriate endorsement form. The letter must verify that:

  • the research was conducted under appropriate adult supervision;
  • the student followed all required laboratory safety procedures;
  • the laboratory is certified or otherwise authorized to conduct the research;
  • the supervising scientist’s name, title, and contact information are provided; and
  • the work described in the project was completed at that facility.
  • approval from the institution’s IRB and/or SRC has been obtained.

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