FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: ERIC WOOLSON
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2009
515-681-3967

EXEMPLAR GENETICS EARNS FULL ACCREDITATION
FROM AAALAC INTERNATIONAL 

SIOUX CENTER, Iowa "Citing Exemplar Genetics" quality facility, staff, administration and program for animal care, the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care has awarded full accreditation to the ground-breaking research firm.

SIOUX CENTER, Iowa — Citing Exemplar Genetics’ quality facility, staff, administration and program for animal care, the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care has awarded full accreditation to the ground-breaking research firm.

“Accreditation by the AAALAC is the gold standard in the field of laboratory animal care. It has been our goal since our first day in business to earn accreditation and we’re delighted to receive the news of this accomplishment,” said Dr. John Swart, the company’s president. “AAALAC accreditation reflects a deep commitment by everyone in our company to provide the most humane care for all animals here. We couldn’t be more proud that our facilities, staff and programs have passed the association’s strenuous review.”

“The management and staff are commended for providing exemplary facilities and programs for the care and use of laboratory animals. Especially noteworthy were the strong administrative commitment, the dedicated and enthusiastic staff at all levels of the organization, the innovative facility and equipment designs and the excellent program for animal care,” Dr. John F. Bradfield, president of the AAALAC Council on Accreditation, wrote to summarize the organization’s review of Exemplary Genetics.

The AAALAC International is a private, nonprofit organization that promotes the humane treatment of animals in science through voluntary accreditation and assessment programs.

According to the AAALAC, “More than 770 companies, universities, hospitals, government agencies and other research institutions in 31 countries have earned AAALAC accreditation, demonstrating their commitment to responsible animal care and use. These institutions volunteer to participate in AAALAC's program, in addition to complying with the local, state and federal laws that regulate animal research.”

Like others in the animal welfare arena, AAALAC endorses the use of animals to advance medicine and science when there are no non-animal alternatives, and when it is done in an ethical and humane way. Among the other institutions that have earned AAALAC accreditation include the Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, The American Red Cross and the National Institutes of Health.

Bradfield noted that the council “has no further recommendations to offer for improvement of the animal care and use program at this time.”

For more information, visit the company's website at www.exemplargenetics.com.