ESTABLISHMENT, OBJECTIVES, AND OPERATION 
The Registry of Tumors in Lower Animals was begun in 1965 as a 
cooperative project between the National Cancer Institute (Contract No. 
NOl-CB-33874) and the Smithsonian Institution to study tumors in inver¬ 
tebrate and poikilothermic vertebrate animals. Objectives are: (1) to 
collect, identify, characterize, and preserve specimens with neoplasms 
and related disorders from natural habitats, zoos, aquaria, and labora¬ 
tory experiments; (2) to conduct and promote experimental studies of the 
nature, incidence, and etiology of these diseases; and, (3) to analyze, 
correlate, and disseminate pertinent published and unpublished information. 
As a result ^ qf such efforts, a number of benefits may accrue: 
1. An improved understanding of the biology of cancer as it 
occurs at various levels of phylogeny. 
2. Evidence concerning the question of whether certain 
animals may be exempt from cancer, and if so, why. 
3. Evidence that may lead to discovery of new etiologic 
agents in cancer. 
4. Evidence of carcinogens in the environment. 
5. Evidence that may bear on certain theories of cancer: 
e.g., the oncogene theory, the clonal selection theory, 
the somatic mutation theory, and others. 
6. Discovery of types of animals that may be useful in 
cancer research because of specific features such as 
differences in immunological complexity, unusual 
sensitivity or resistance to carcinogens, ability to 
concentrate certain elements, such as Hg, Cu, or Zn, 
genetic features influencing cancer rates, ability 
to reject tumors by autectomy, and so on. 
7o Discovery of possible reservoirs or vectors of 
oncogenic viruses. 
8. Identification and protection of populations in 
possible jeopardy from epizootic neoplasia. 
9o Maintenance of a proper perspective among citizens 
concerned about the significance of reports of cancer 
among lower animals of economic importance. 
After specimens with cryptogenic and induced lesions are received they 
are photographed, studied grossly and microscopically and stored for easy 
retrieval. An effort is made to determine the nature of the lesion or verify 
the diagnosis of the contributor, often after getting the opinion of one or 
more specialists for the type of animal or tissue involved. When specimens 
are received which appear to be good research models for furthering the under¬ 
standing of neoplastic processes, research projects may be initiated by the 
Registry with the consent of the contributor. 
