Approval of Research Plans by IACUCs

When approval by an IACUC is required, investigators must prepare written statements or applications for animal use that assure that all applications, proposals, and actual research will meet certain basic requirements. Such assurances include limiting unneeded replications of research, use of appropriate species, and adequate experimental design.
Investigators must be familiar with the species to be studied, or closely related surrogates, so as to be able to provide environmental conditions essential for the wellbeing of the experimental subjects and to be able to recognize their responses to disturbances, including capture and restraint, or other changes in environmental conditions that may be applicable to the particular study. Copies of IACUC plans are maintained by the IACUC and the individual researcher.

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The Role of Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees

The IACUCs are appointed by the chief executive officer of each institution. The IACUCs have certain federally mandated responsibilities, such as review of protocols and periodic evaluations of the program of animal care and use, including inspections of facilities.
Typically, each institution develops its own procedures following federal guidelines to address the basic responsibilities of its IACUC. The IACUC conducts semiannual program evaluations, inspects animal facilities, reviews protocols, maintains IACUC records, and develops annual reports for the responsible institutional or federal official.
The IACUC is also responsible for ensuring that adequate veterinary care is provided, that a human occupational health and safety program is part of the overall animal care and use program, and that animal facilities, including husbandry of animals, are properly managed. The membership of the IACUC varies from institution to institution but normally includes five or more individuals. A veterinarian, a practicing research scientist, an individual whose primary concerns are in a nonscientific area, and an individual who is not affiliated with the institution other than as a member of the IACUC typically are included.
The IACUC has a mandate to investigate and evaluate concerns regarding the care and use of animals at the institution. Concerns may be raised by staff or employees of the institution, individuals in the community, or even members of the IACUC. The IACUC is empowered to suspend a project if it finds violations of the Public Health Service (PHS) Policy and Government Principles Regarding the Care and Use of Animals (ILARC 1996, Appendix D). For further information on the role and responsibilities of IACUCs, see APHIS (1992), Thomas and Greene (1994), ILARC (1996), or Silverman et al. (2000;also see Public Law 99158).

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