Use of Animals

As a manufacturer of medical devices, Medtronic is required to demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of our products to the satisfaction of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and comply with other regulations worldwide. In many cases, these authorities prescribe animal research as the only means to provide information they accept as valid. All animal use by Medtronic meets or exceeds the standards and principles set by federal authorities and is governed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and overseen by Medtronic’s staff of licensed veterinarians.

Scientists, veterinary surgeons and pathologists, regulatory experts and technical staff ensures that all studies we conduct adhere to the guidelines of the U.S. FDA, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal Welfare Act (AWA), Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care* (AAALAC), and other appropriate regulatory agencies.

Medtronic’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee reviews all proposals for animal use, conducts annual reviews of ongoing protocols, and performs facility and program inspections twice a year. The committee is comprised of a chairperson, vice chairperson, attending veterinarian, scientists and non-scientists, and non-Medtronic employee community members who represent the general public interest in the ethical use and proper care and treatment of animals.

Medtronic has a long history of commitment to replacing, refining, and reducing animal use.  We are continually developing and employing animal alternatives, such as computer modeling and simulation, haptic feedback simulators, cadaver tissues, and artificial tissues. In addition, Medtronic has developed a comprehensive Biomaterials Information Database which provides engineers and scientists company-wide access to biomaterials previously studied by Medtronic, thus eliminating redundant materials testing.

For additional information, read our Policy Regarding Use of Animals and the Feasibility Assessment on Eliminating the Use of Animals for Training Purposes.

*The Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) is a voluntary accreditation program. AAALAC works with institutions and researchers to serve as a bridge between progress and animal well-being. This is done through the voluntary accreditation process in which research programs demonstrate that they not only meet the minimums required by law, but are going the extra step to achieve excellence in animal care and use.

Medtronic’s laboratories have been fully accredited since 1973.