The Institute of Laboratory Animal Resources maintains a professional staff and consultants who are available for projects such as the organization of special workshops on laboratory animal technology. Aware of an urgent need for communication and exchange of information on problems of posdoctoral education in laboratory animal medicine, the Committee on Professional Education set up a four-part program as follows: (1) Site surveys were made of eighteen veterinary schools or colleges to determine what role these institutions play in educating both pre- and postdoctoral students in the discipline of laboratory animal medicine. (2) An examination was made of college programs now providing training of laboratory animal colony directors and research workers in laboratory animal medicine. (3) A realistic figure was established representing the projected need for individuals with specialized training in laboratory animal medicine. (4) Following these site visits and questionnaire surveys, a Workshop on Graduate Education in Laboratory Animal Medicine was held.

A volume in the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine series, this second edition has over 40% new material, including the addition of six new topics and many others that are completely rewritten. The book comprehensively covers the biological and disease aspects of laboratory animal medicine while examining other aspects such as the biohazards associated with the use of animal experimentation and factors complicating the bioethics of animal research.