BTS receives AAALAC accreditation following animal-welfare controversy
The Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) is a private, nonprofit organization that promotes the humane treatment of animals in science.
According to the San Diego-based contract research organization (CRO), it has been recommended for full accreditation at their new headquarters following AAALAC review of its new vivarium.
The recommendation follows a scheduled, multi-day inspection certification of the new facility, which BTS moved to in late 2015 at which time BTS on boarded several local employees, both new and experienced.
According to the company, this brought the company “ungrounded inquisition” into its research practices, including a complaint from the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), which was filed against the CRO after it was cited by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) for reported violations of the federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA).
Consequently, BTS said it had numerous inspections and correspondences from the USDA, OSHA, DEA, and AAALAC, all which showed the new facility was compliant with regulations.
“When the USDA did their inspections, their findings were in line with the bringing of our small CRO to a mid-size organization and that is a normal evolutionary step. We have fully acknowledged and addressed these issues,” said Sami Abunadi, CEO and president of BTS Research.
“We are very proud of our new headquarters. It was a long way coming. To receive the Full Accreditation recommendation without even minor issues to address is a great step to build on the wonderful history and reputation BTS has been having for 16 years now,” added Abundai.
BTS Research did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
