ABSTRACT
Choosing an appropriate number of subjects is an important part of any research project. A proper sample size is essential to obtaining valid results and to minimizing the number of individuals exposed to the potential risks and harms of research. For this reason, the IACUC is interested in ensuring that a sufcient but not excessive number of animals are used. A study with too few animals is ethically problematic because the animals are being subjected to potentially painful procedures or loss of life with relatively little likely benet to the advancement of knowledge. On the other hand, a study using more animals than are truly needed is also problematic, because it unnecessarily exposes some of them to the same harms.
