Both of those subjects would require a lab. I did ant migration research myself fore three years in college, under a PI known in the field. Circadian rhythm stuff would, at this point, also require a lab or a clinical outlet.
To answer your q about institutional board regulation:
The regulations that apply to animals in laboratories vary across species. In the U.S., under the provisions of the
Animal Welfare Act and the
Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (the
Guide), published by the National Academy of Sciences, any procedure can be performed on an animal if it can be successfully argued that it is scientifically justified. In general, researchers are required to consult with the institution's veterinarian and its
Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), which every research facility is obliged to maintain.
[40] The IACUC must ensure that alternatives, including non-animal alternatives, have been considered, that the experiments are not unnecessarily duplicative, and that pain relief is given unless it would interfere with the study. Larry Carbone, a laboratory animal veterinarian, writes that, in his experience, IACUCs take their work very seriously regardless of the species involved, though the use of
non-human primates always raises what he calls a "red flag of special concern."
[41] A study published in
Science magazine in July 2001 confirmed the low reliability of IACUC reviews of animal experiments. Funded by the National Science Foundation, the three-year study found that animal-use committees that do not know the specifics of the university and personnel do not make the same approval decisions as those made by animal-use committees that do know the university and personnel. Specifically, blinded committees more often ask for more information rather than approving studies.
[42]
The IACUCs regulate all vertebrates in testing at institutions receiving federal funds in the USA. Although the provisions of the Animal Welfare Act do not include purpose-bred rodents and birds, these species are equally regulated under Public Health Service policies that govern the IACUCs.
[43][44] Animal Welfare Act regulations are enforced by the USDA, whereas Public Health Service regulations are enforced by OLAW and in many cases by AAALAC.
from wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_testing#Regulations
Thanks for the responses...
I actually kind of find this frustrating, but yet I understand why it's like this these days; oh how I wish I was born 20 years ago..
mmmcdowe, I definitely wasn't aware that someone would need institutional approval of experiments of this nature.. Why? I'm genuinely curious.. To make sure your keeping the animals humanely, or ?
I wouldn't mind giving someone credit on a presentation..
I'm talking research on the level.. well.. Let me honest here.. I'm looking to do research that is in a field I am interested in that would look good on a med school application, but not only that.. something I actually may be able to study when after med school possibly.
While I was speaking to a professor in the local psychology department I had learned he did his dissertation on how ants get back home after venturing out for food, and I found that pretty interesting..
I'm also kind of interested in the circadian rhythm..
