As coordinator for the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), I feel compelled to publicize Penn State's excellent record for responsible care and use of animals. An April 12 letter from Cathy Brigham accuses Collegian reporters of bias in their reporting on the use of animals in research at Penn State; however, her critical letter also lacks in facts and supporting evidence. Here are some facts about the University's Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee:

-- Penn State voluntarily established an Animal Advisory Committee 10 years before such committees were mandated by the 1985 amendment to the Animal Welfare Act.

-- As provided by law, the IACUC includes a community member who has no affiliation with the institution. This member receives no compensation for his or her participation on the committee. The individual becomes a member because of his or her concern for animals.

-- As provided by law, the IACUC has a member who is a non-scientist.

-- As provided by law, the IACUC has a member who is a veterinarian.

-- The IACUC conducts semi-annual inspections of all animals and their housing facilities. Two or more representatives from the Office of the Physical Plant accompany the IACUC to ensure prompt attention to any animal facility showing need for maintenance.

-- An inspector from the U.S. Department of Agriculture comes to campus twice a year, unannounced, to inspect animal use at Penn State. This inspector spends two days touring the animal research facilities and reviewing IACUC records to ensure that all animal use is in compliance with the regulations set forth by the Animal Welfare Act and its amendments.

There are many non-research and non-faculty individuals who participate in the IACUC's review of animal care and use. In addition, Penn State's Attending Veterinarian ensures that all animals are checked daily by the caretaking staff. Lastly, all federal agencies require documentation of these reviews before they will provide funding for any animal research at Penn State.

So contrary to Brigham's accusations, there are no incentives for the scientific community to conduct the types of unethical, whimsical research she suggests. Government dollars are only granted to investigators that propose sound, ethical experimentation; researchers who comply with the animal welfare laws established by Congress to represent the wishes of the public.

I encourage anyone wishing to know more about animal research at Penn State to attend one of the monthly Animal Care and Use Seminars provided by the Office for Regulatory Compliance. The next seminar is scheduled for April 16, 1993 at 10 a.m. in 101 Kern.