Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)

• A. Review and approve all activities involving animals
  
• B. Inspect animal housing areas and laboratories (at least twice a year)
  
• C. Insure adequate veterinary care and oversight
  
• D. Keep records to verify compliance with all regulations
  
• E. Supervise the training required by the law

Federal law protects the right of IACUC members to vote without threats of institutional retribution.

Under Public Health Service policy there is no maximum size limit though it does require at least 5 members.  Therefore, most IACUCs are composed of 5-15 people with diverse backgrounds. Although each IACUC is unique in composition, it is common to have biomedical scientists from various disciplines, philosophers, medical professionals, teachers, and persons active in local, humane associations.

Animal Welfare Act requires the IACUC to have at least three members: including a doctor of veterinary medicine, one member who is not affiliated with the institution (an "outside" member) and one scientist.

Generally, the IACUC does not pass judgment as to scientific merit (leaving that function to granting agencies); however, there is no way to dissociate responsible animal use from the question of "what constitutes good and necessary science". Certain proposals will entail pain and distress, if the scientific question being asked is to be answered. Although the veterinarian has many roles in research, their primary role on the IACUC is to suggest methods whereby pain and distress can be kept to the absolute minimum. The "outside" members are to represent the concerns of the general community. The "outside" members apply common sense to determine whether or not a specific project warrants the use of animals.

a)    It shall be the responsibility of the research facility to ensure that all scientists, research technicians, animal technicians, and other personnel involved in animal care, treatment, and use are qualified to perform their duties.  This responsibility shall be fulfilled in part through the provision of training and instruction to those personnel

b)    Training and instruction shall be made available, and the qualifications of personnel reviewed, with sufficient frequency to fulfill the research facility's responsibilities under this section.

c)     Training and instruction of personnel must include guidance in at least the following areas:

1. Humane methods of animal maintenance and experimentation, including:

   The basic needs of each species of animals;
   Proper handling and care for the various species of animals used by the facility;
   Proper pre-procedural and post-procedural care of animals; and
   Aseptic surgical methods and procedures;

2. The concept, availability, and use of research or testing methods that limit the use of animals or minimize animal distress;
3. Proper use of anesthetics, analgesics, and tranquilizers for any species of animals used by the facility;
4. Methods whereby deficiencies in animal care and treatment are reported, including deficiencies in animal care and treatment reported by any employee of the facility.  No facility employee, committee, member or laboratory personnel shall be discriminated against or be subject to any reprisal for reporting violations of any regulation or standards under the Act;
5. Utilization of services (e.g., National Agricultural Library, National Library of Medicine) available to provide information:

   On appropriate methods of animal care and use;
   On alternatives to the use of live animals in research;
   That could prevent unintended and unnecessary duplication of research involving animals, and;
   Regarding the intent and requirements of the Act.

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