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The University of Arizona Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee Handbook

III. ROLE OF THE IACUC COMMUNITY MEMBERS

PHS Policy as well as the Animal Welfare Act require that all Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees have at least one community representative serving as a voting member of the committee. Community members do more than fulfill legal requirements; they add credibility to the IACUC review procedures by providing valuable perspectives and reflecting concerns of the public. Their views should be respected by the scientific community.

The IACUC recognizes community membership as vital to the optimal functioning of the Committee. Decisions affecting animal-based research need to be shared by the public who funds research, and for whom it is carried out. Community input opens the "closed doors" to one or more persons. If the research community is to overcome the criticism of a peer review system, outside public opinion is vital.

Community members can come from many different occupations and philosophical view points. Committees often include individuals from the animal protection community, members of the religious community, lawyers, nurses, philosophers, homemakers, ranchers, farmers, public school teachers, community veterinarians, and others.

The University of Arizona IACUC maintains at least 3 Community Representative membership positions.

A. ROLES OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS

  1. To support the animals' interest and to protect animals from painful procedures
  2. To question, and to bring ethical aspects into discussion
  3. To communicate the public's concerns and conscience and to deal with the difficult ethical dilemmas which research involving animals pose
  4. Providing straightforward, honest questioning

B. DESIRABLE TRAITS FOR THE LAY COMMITTEE MEMBER
  1. Desire to protect animals; dedicated to animal protection
  2. Diplomatic, but not afraid to ask questions
  3. Willing to question the status quo
  4. Pleasant, but persistent
  5. Good communications skills
  6. Rational and enthusiastic
  7. Tolerant of open disagreement
  8. Honest and straightforward

These are traits that should be found in ALL members of the IACUC to have a successful and productive Committee.

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Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals

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07/07/2008

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