Seattle, WA – Five members of a University of Washington committee responsible for reviewing all animal-based research proposals have filed a lawsuit against the university seeking to protect themselves, their families and their colleagues from escalating hostility and harassment from activists who oppose animal research.

One co-plaintiff in the federal suit is University of Washington neuroscientist and faculty member Jane Sullivan, Ph.D. Dr. Sullivan serves as chair of the University of Washington’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), a formal body required under federal law within the Animal Welfare Act at all institutions that conduct animal studies. Staffed by veterinary and health research experts along with non-scientists and unaffiliated members not employed by the university, the committee’s task is to review all university proposals for animal-based research, ensure the use of animals is appropriate and request research protocol adjustments as needed to ensure humane animal care.

In addition to Dr. Sullivan, four other members of the University of Washington’s IACUC committee, including another co-plaintiff, joined the suit anonymously. Together the five members of the University of Washington community are asking the court to block attempts by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals to obtain their identities and also the names of more than 70 of their fellow colleagues who either currently serve or have served on the University of Washington IACUC committee.