As the one that is more used to sending out probation notices than receiving them, the University of Washington must understand the serious nature of the problems at its animal research facilities.

It is particularly unsettling that the concerns seem to focus on the university's ongoing oversight of the labs, the health of animals and the safety of workers. If the UW believes the research is important, a bottom line requirement must be to provide sound, responsible oversight on a routine basis.

The accreditation council of the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care, a non-profit group, put the UW on probation, allowing it until May 1 to submit a plan for improvements. University officials said they are well along with the plan of changes.

Among other things, the university is looking for $20 million in building renovations, some of which are decades old. And it has moved some animals to what it believes are better conditions.

Research on lab animals raises various questions about ethics, humane treatment and safety. The public generally trusts that there are processes in place to assure that the work is the only option, well thought out and conducted with the highest attention to minimizing animals' suffering.

It's discouraging, then, to find the accreditation committee concerned about what it called a "lack of oversight responsibilities." Perhaps the university needs more outside oversight on the issue from a group such as the Legislature.

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