However, DOD did not require all of its animal research activities, such as those involving clinical training or investigations, to be reported to the DTIC database. Problems With DOD’s Animal Use Information

The fiscal year 1996 BRD had a number of problems, including inaccurate and incomplete disclosure of information about DOD’s animal use projects. Alternatively, we identified 19 projects in the fiscal year 1996 BRD related to medical research for biological defense that did not involve the use of animals that year (although they did involve animals in other years). For instance, it does not provide the numbers and species of animals used for DOD projects nor does it include information about the pain to which animals were subjected. We also found variations in the levels of specificity reported on the projects in the BRD. Specifically, the Secretary should improve the data collection and reporting procedures to ensure that the BRD contains accurate, detailed information about individual animal research projects, including information on the number and species of animals used in each project, the research goal and justification, and the pain categories for each project as identified in House Report 103-499. Scope and Methodology

In the course of our work examining issues related to DOD’s oversight of its animal research programs, we are reviewing the BRD because it contains information on individual animal use projects.
Why GAO Did This Study

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO examined several issues related to the Department of Defense's (DOD) administration of its animal research programs, focusing on: (1) the extent to which DOD's research using animals addresses validated military objectives, does not unnecessarily duplicate work done elsewhere, and incorporates methods to reduce, replace, and refine the use of animals; and (2) problems with the accuracy of information in the Biomedical Research Database (BRD).

What GAO Found

GAO noted that: (1) the BRD provides improved public access to information about DOD's use of animals in its research activities; (2) GAO found instances in which the information in the BRD was inaccurate, incomplete, and inconsistent, resulting in inadequate public disclosure; (3) specifically, the fiscal year 1996 BRD: (a) misstated the number of animal use projects because it omitted some projects that used animals and included others that did not involve animals; (b) did not include information, such as the numbers and types of animals used, that was identified in House Report 103-499; and (c) contained significant differences in specificity reported for the research projects; and (4) although GAO did not quantify the full extent of these problems, the problems it has identified suggest a need for DOD action to improve the accuracy and extent of the information in the database.