SfN Policy Positions
Learn what we advocate for to advance research worldwide.
Legislative Agenda
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Statement on the Irreplaceable of Non-Human Primate Models in Neuroscience Research
The Society for Neuroscience (SfN) strongly advocates for the responsible and ethical use of animals in biomedical research, including the use of non-human primates (NHPs). NHPs continue to serve a critical role in advancing scientific understanding of the brain.
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Global Statement on the Use of Animals in Research
Animal models are vital and irreplaceable for scientific progress and in combating the devastation of human neurological and psychiatric diseases. While scientists strive to reduce and replace animal models when viable, when used appropriately and within humane guidelines, animal models maximize scientific advancement.
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Policies on the Use of Animals and Humans in Neuroscience Research
SfN find that the U.S. Public Health Service's Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (PHS policy) and the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (the Guide), are both necessary and sufficient to ensure a high standard of animal care and use and adopts them as its official policy.
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Mental Health Insurance Parity
SfN believes that mental health conditions should be treated like any medical condition. As such, health plans should provide common treatments and medications, such as counseling and antidepressants, to help all people lead more productive and rewarding lives.
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NIH Public Access Policy
JNeurosci has provided the National Library of Medicine's PubMed Central final versions of manuscripts for work funded by the NIH, HHMI, and the Wellcome Trust since April 7, 2008.
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Research Practices for Scientific Rigor
The Society is committed to helping ensure that neuroscientists are well trained in best research practices, that those practices are consistently adhered to, and that methods and design issues are reported in such a way so as to permit appropriate evaluation of results and facilitate attempts at replication.
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Statement on Evolution and Intelligent Design
Recognizing that the principles of evolution are fundamental to understanding and studying the origins and diversity of living things, SfN opposes the assertion that teaching intelligent design theory is a valid scientific alternative to teaching evolution in science classrooms.
