NASA Procedures and Guidelines
This Document is Obsolete and Is No Longer Used. Check the NODIS Library to access the current version: http://nodis3.gsfc.nasa.gov
NPR 8910.1C Eff. Date: December 02, 2011 Cancellation Date:	Care and Use of Animals (updated w/Change 2 on 3/20/14)
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Appendix D. Policy on Communication of Animal Health and Welfare During NASA Space Flight Missions

D.1 Policy - The health and well-being of experimental animals used during space flight are of the highest importance to NASA for both ethical and scientific reasons. Decisions made regarding the health status and fitness of experimental animals will be made by qualified individuals with training appropriate to determine the type of interventions necessary to minimize pain and distress in the experimental animal and to maximize the return of scientific knowledge.

D.2 The need for voice communication during flight will be at the request of the crewmembers and limited to circumstances, which extend beyond crew training, which affect animal health and well-being. Should unexpected or critical conditions exist which warrant immediate attention, at the U.S commander's or U.S. Operating Segment lead's (USOS) determination, a veterinary consultation with the NASA Chief Veterinarian or the duty veterinarian may be requested. Such communication may occur via an open or closed voice loop and will be restricted to animal welfare issues, which require a decision to provide extraordinary intervention or to euthanize the experimental animals. Likewise, if conditions are detected from the ground which indicate imminent failure of the animal habitats or host systems and subsequent compromise of animal welfare, the NASA Chief Veterinarian or duty veterinarian may inform the crewmembers. The U.S. commander or USOS may request authorization from the NASA Chief Veterinarian to down link relevant images of affected animals for review by the NASA Chief Veterinarian or the duty veterinarian to assist in a decision to euthanize the animals. Such a request will only be authorized when other means of communicating the animals' clinical status have been ineffective.

D.3 The decision to euthanize experimental animals will be made by the NASA Chief Veterinarian with input from the crewmembers regarding the animals' condition. The Project Scientist, the Project Manager, and the Principal Investigator, whose work will be affected, will be consulted regarding the circumstances and the impact of the decision. The NASA Chief Veterinarian will make the final decision to euthanize animals for humane reasons. The crewmembers will be informed of such decision for implementation. The NASA Chief Veterinarian will be responsible for communicating the circumstances and procedures associated with the decision to NASA Headquarters, affected research teams, and in a timely manner to the Congress and the press through the Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs and Office of Communications, respectively.

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