WHAT
ACTIVITIES ARE SPECIFICALLY REQUIRED TO HAVE AN IACUC-APPROVED PROTOCOL?
IACUC
(Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee) approved protocols are required if the
animals to be used are:
- Regulated
species and used in research, teaching, or testing in registered research facilities as
defined by the AWAR (Animal Welfare Act Regulations).
- Used in
research, research training, and biological and testing activities conducted or supported
by any PHS Agency (PHS Policy 11).
An
IACUC-approved protocol is also needed when projects supported by other public or private
agencies have a requirement for IACUC approval. Alternately, the institution may require
IACUC approval of all animal protocols. The terms "biomedical, behavioral, research,
teaching, and testing" are not defined in the regulations. For example, a breeding
colony of vertebrate animals (mice) may not be part of any biomedical research, teaching,
or testing project and, therefore, not required by any of the above regulations to have an
IACUC approval. Yet, the institution may require an IACUC review of this animal project.
WHAT
ROLE DOES AN INSTITUTION'S ADMINISTRATION HAVE IN THE OVERALL CONCEPT OF ANIMAL
MISTREATMENT OR PROTOCOL NONCOMPLIANCE?
Under
the PHS (U.S. Public Health Service) Policy, the IO (Institutional Officer) by signing an
Animal Welfare Assurance with NIH/OPRR (Office for Protection from Research Risks) of the
NIH (National Institutes of Health), commits the institution to compliance with the PHS
Policy. Noncompliance (such as animal mistreatment or protocol noncompliance) is
ultimately the responsibility of the IO who represents the institution's administration
(PHS Policy III, G; IV,A).
The
IACUC is a regulatory committee that is an agent of the institution (PHS Policy IV,B; AWAR
[Animal Welfare Act Regulations] 2.3l,c). The institution must make it known that the
IACUC not only helps to assure animal welfare, but it is an indispensable link in helping
protect the researcher against unwarranted accusations and assuring the integrity of the
institution. Because regulatory committee are often disparaged by investigators, it must
be understood that and IACUC cannot property function without general institutional
ethical and administrative support. The institutional by actions and words, must stand
behind the IACUC. The IO can be a powerful ally and should have a clear understanding of
his or her responsibilities and authority under the AWAR and PHS Policy, and communicate
this support to the IACUC and investigators.
(per
October 2000 Training Handout)
NMSU Policies on Animal Use
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