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 Your IACUC is
an oversight body appointed by an official at your institution, such
as the chief executive
officer. The Office
of Laboratory Animal Welfare relies on the IACUC to enforce PHS policy
and your institution's animal policies. IACUCs do the following.
- Review and approve animal use protocols,
including significant changes* to previously approved
protocols.
- Monitor
your animal care and use program, including a semi-annual inspection
of animal facilities.
- Hold orientation programs on institutional animal
policies and procedures, e.g., what is expected, which protocol
forms to use, and
where to get animals.
- Evaluate compliance with institutional policies.
- Report
annually and notify OLAW of
suspensions and instances of serious noncompliance with policy. See the February 24, 2005, Guide notice for guidance on what an IACUC should report to OLAW.
Find out your institution's policies before you plan your research.
In most institutions, policies for research animals are a combination
of institutional and USDA and PHS requirements.
Some are more stringent than others, so a procedure you performed at
another institution may not be acceptable at your current workplace.
* Institutional definitions of a "significant change"
vary. Be sure you know your institution's policy. Implementing a significant
change without IACUC prior
approval is a serious violation of PHS
policy. See What is considered a significant change to a project that would require IACUC review? for more information.
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