COGR expresses concerns to the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command's Animal Care and Use Review Office (ACURO) regarding a new policy that, effective January 1, 2026, limits ACURO protocol review to only Department of Defense (DOD) fully-funded animal research projects. While recognizing the intent to reduce ACURO’s administrative burden, COGR argues that this directive merely shifts the burden to institution-level review boards and researchers without improving animal welfare, and recommends reconsideration of the policy through either eliminating duplicative ACURO review, exempting ongoing multi-funded protocols, or extending compliance deadlines. COGR urges ACURO to leverage current federal deregulation initiatives to streamline and improve research oversight efficiency.
Kristin West
Kristin (Kris) West is the Director of the Research Ethics and Compliance Committee at COGR.
