Animal research is a controversial subject because of the ethical and moral implications of using unwilling research subjects in potentially painful or distressful procedures usually ending in euthanasia. As such, it must be conducted in a compassionate and responsible manner geared toward maximizing the animals\' quality of life prior to and during experimentation. Because of its contentious nature, the conduct of animal research is highly regulated at the federal, state, city, and institutional levels. It is essential that researchers acquire a thorough knowledge of the procedures to be conducted as well as a working knowledge of the regulations. This will maximize humane care of research animals and prevent potentially negative or detrimental interactions with groups opposed to using animals in biomedical research. Perhaps the best way to attain these goals is to avoid inadvertent instances of noncompliance with their research protocol or applicable regulations. Regulatory noncompliance can also have serious negative consequences on investigators\' research careers ranging from temporary suspension of their protocols to loss of funding and revocation of principal investigator status and associated privileges. To minimize such adverse outcomes, it is advised that researchers build positive and collaborative relationships with key institutional players such as the veterinary staff, the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), and top administrators. Guidance is provided regarding the appropriate handling of regulatory noncompliance.

Despite the growing emphasis on translational neuropharmacology and drug discovery research, the legality underlying these fields are seldom considered. The zebrafish (Danio rerio) is an increasingly utilized model organism in neuropharmacology and neurotoxicology. As the acceptance of zebrafish in biomedicine continues to grow, the legal aspects of their applications remain outpaced by this exponential growth. Therefore, there is a need to evaluate the legal aspects of zebrafish applications to CNS drug research. Here, we discuss a wide range of regulatory topics relevant to zebrafish research, such as the bioethics of experimentation (including studies of stress and pain), welfare protection laws, the recent advances in CNS drug discovery, and specific legal aspects of controlled substance research in this aquatic species. The conceptualization and understanding of the zebrafish welfare and its promise as a model in toxicology can also potentially shape environmental protection practices and inform policy making.