Information Resources for Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees 1985-1999

General

The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)
Bibliography

The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)

(Excerpted from National Institutes of Health (1992). Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee Guidebook, NIH Publication no. 92-3415.Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office.) The full text of this document is available at http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/olaw/GuideBook.pdf

A-2. Authority, Composition and Functions

Each institution which falls under authority of the AWA and/or receives PHS support for research and teaching involving laboratory animals must operate a program with clear lines of authority and responsibility, a properly functioning Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), procedures for self monitoring, adequate veterinary care, a program of occupational health, sound animal husbandry practices, and appropriate maintenance of facilities for housing animals.

The IACUC also monitors the use of animals in teaching activities as specified in the USDA Regulations, but this does not come under the Policy, unless it is supported by PHS.

The IACUC must have at least five members, including a veterinarian with program responsibilities, a scientist experienced in laboratory animal research, a non-scientist and an individual who has no other affiliation with the Institution besides membership in the IACUC. The IACUC must have the full support of the Institutional Official responsible for the program; evaluate the entire program every six months; prepare a report on the evaluation and the inspection of the facilities which is to be filed with the Institutional Official; and make recommendations to this Official concerning deficiencies, with a proposed timetable for corrections. The IACUC has the authority to suspend PHS-supported research activities.

The IACUC has an obligation to review all research projects, proposed for PHS support, prior to their receiving funding. A written report of this review confirms that the project will be conducted in accordance with PHS Policy, the Guide and the AWA. At least one member of the Committee must review each proposal, but all members must have prior opportunity to request full Committee review. The IACUC has authority to approve, require modifications before approval, or withhold approval of proposals submitted to it for review. No activity involving animals can begin unless it is first approved by the IACUC.

The frequency of IACUC consideration of approved, ongoing activities is one of the few areas in which PHS and USDA have differing requirements, i.e., PHS requires it at least once every three years, whereas USDA requires it annually. Ideally, institutions should choose to establish a uniform mechanism which satisfies both federal requirements. In deliberating this issue it is helpful to refer to consideration of ongoing activities by the use of the term "annual review" as opposed to the function of the IACUC performed at the outset of a new activity and at the expiration of an approved activity, referred to as `review." OPRR has interpreted PHS Policy to require an institutional process which provides review of proposed activities, with committee approval for a specified period of time generally not to exceed three years. This "initial renewal review" and approval may be accomplished by either convened Committee action or by a "designated reviewer/expedited review" process which meets the PHS Policy requirements... During this period of approval, annual review must be accomplished to meet USDA requirements. The purpose of annual review is to confirm that no changes have taken place in the approved activity which might require further consideration by the IACUC, and to ensure that any new requirements of PHS, USDA or the institution are transmitted to the investigator. Annual review need not require a convened IACUC or designated reviewer/expedited action but must be adequately documented. Planned modifications must be brought to the attention of the IACUC prior to initiation. A relatively simple mechanism to meet USDA requirements is the annual circulation of a standard form giving current basic IACUC information, e.g., approval number, date, title, species, etc., to all investigators with IACUC-approved activities. The investigator then notes that either no changes have taken place, or he/she describes any changes which have occurred. The IACUC may then separate responses, filing those indicating no changes and passing along the remainder to an IACUC-designee for assessment of the changes reported. Any changes to the approved activity which are deemed of sufficient magnitude to merit further consideration may then be presented to the IACUC. All of these dispositions should be documented as official IACUC actions.

Table I: Federally Mandated IACUC Functions

1. Review, at least once every 6 months, the research facility's program, using USDA Regulation/Guide as basis.
2. Inspect, at least once every 6 months, all of the animal facilities, including animal study areas/satellite facilities, using USDA Regulations/Guide, as basis.
3. Prepare reports of IACUC evaluations and submit the reports to the Institutional Official.
4. Review and investigate legitimate concerns involving the care and use of animals at the research facility resulting from public complaints and from reports of non-compliance received from facility personnel or employees.
5. Make recommendations to the Institutional Official regarding any aspect of the research facility's animal program, facilities or personnel training.
6. Review and approve, require modifications in (to secure approval), or withhold approval of those components of proposed activities related to the care and use of animals.
7. Review and approve, require modifications in (to secure approval), or withhold approval of proposed significant changes regarding the care and use of animals in ongoing activities.
8. Suspend an activity involving animals when necessary; take corrective action and report to funding agency and USDA.

Bibliography

Allen, T. (1992). Animal Care and Use Committees, Special Reference Brief 92-16. Beltsville, Maryland: Animal Welfare Information Center, National Agricultural Library, 45 p.
NAL call number: aS21.D27S64
Descriptors: animal welfare, bibliographies, committees, protocol review.

American Medical Association (1991). Use of animals in medical education. JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association 266(6): 836.
NAL call number: 448.9 Am37
Descriptors: laboratory animals, usage, physicians, ACUC.

Animal Rights, the Threat to Research. The New Research Environment Foundation for Biomedical Research, Washington, DC; 2 videocassettes (VHS) (44 min., 28 sec.) 1987. In cooperation with John Hopkins University School of Medicine. CT: Tape 1. The animal rights movement: The threat to research. (14 min.) -- Tape 2. pt. 1. The animal care and use committee. -- pt. 2. Common procedures & techniques. -- pt. 3. Survival surgery. (30 min.).
NAL call number: Videocassette no. 194
Descriptors: animal experimentation, animal models in research, law and legislation, animal welfare.

Baker, H.J. (1987). Essential functions of animal care and use committees. Laboratory Animal Science 37(special issue): 30-34.
NAL call number: 410.9 P94
Descriptors: animal welfare, conferences, organizations, animal experiments, projects.

Benedict, R.C. (1987). University of Southern California model for the humane care and utilization of animals in research and teaching. Laboratory Animal Science 37(special issue): 90-92.
NAL call number: 410.9 P94
Descriptors: animal welfare, animal research, ethics.

Berne, T.V., W.M. Blackmore, D. Marsh, E. Horowitz, M.J. Baker, J.D. Peck, J.W. Robb, and B. Berry (1987). The University of Southern California's committee in action. Laboratory Animal Science 37(special issue): 81-89.
NAL call number: 410.9 P94
Descriptors: laboratory animals, animal experiments, ethic, universities, ACUC.

Britt, D. (1986). Conference report - Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees. Alternatives to Laboratory Animals: ATLA 13(3): 236-239.
NAL call number: Z7994 L3A5
Descriptors: animal research, review boards, evaluations.

Dell, R.B. (1987). Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee at Columbia University's Health Sciences Division. SCAW Newsletter 9(4): 3-4.
NAL call number: QL55 N48
Descriptors: animal welfare, laboratory animals.

Geraci, J.R. and D.H. Percy (1987). Are animal care and use committees really needed? Laboratory Animal Science 37(special issue): 111-112.
NAL call number: 410.9 P94
Descriptors: animal welfare, research institutions, animal experiments.

Goodpasture, J. (1987) Animal care committees in the pharmaceutical industry. Laboratory Animal Science 37(special issue): 132-133 (January 1987).
NAL call number: 410.9 P94
Descriptors: animal welfare, laboratory animals, pharmacy.

Hannah, H.W. (1997). The statutory offense of cruelty to animals. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 211(1): 47-48.
NAL call number: 41.8 Am3
Descriptors: animal welfare, veterinary jurisprudence, legislation.

Haywood, S., S.R.L. Clark, and D. Judson (1985). Ethical committees and animal experimentation. Veterinary Record 117(18): 479.
NAL call number: 41.8 V641
Descriptors: animal welfare, research, ACUC.

Haywood, S. (1984). The role of the ethical committee in biomedical research. Alternatives to Laboratory Animals: ATLA 11(4): 226-228.
NAL call number: Z7994 L3A5
Descriptors: animal experiments, medical research, ethics, regulations, animal welfare, ACUC.

Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees (1986). Alternatives to Laboratory Animals: ATLA 14(2): 96-99.
NAL call number: Z7994 L3A5
Descriptors: laboratory animals, animal welfare, animal research, guidelines.

Johnston, N. E. (ed.) (1995). Animals in Science Conference, perspectives on their use, care and welfare: proceedings, April 1995, Research Ethics Unit, Clayton, Victoria, Australia: The Unit, 262 pp.
NAL call number: HV4704.A56 1995
Descriptors: animal welfare, laboratory animals, animal experimentation.

Kelly, J.A. (1986). Animal care committees: Changing their long-standing role as research rubber stamps. PsyETA - Psychologists for the Ethical Treatment of Animals Bulletin 8(2): 2-5.
NAL call number: HV4701.B85
Descriptors: review, animal welfare, experiments, ACUC.

King, F.A. (1987). A primate research center perspective: Animal Care and Use Committees. Laboratory Animal Science 37(special issue): 134-136.
NAL call number: 410.9 P94
Descriptors: animal welfare, laboratory animals.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1993). Animal care matters. Video, Cambridge, Massachusetts: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 25 minutes.
NAL call number: Videocassette no. 2194
Abstract: Explores the issues surrounding experimentation on animal subjects through interviews with veterinarians, researchers, and animal rights activists, and provides an introduction to community oversight of animal research..
Descriptors: animal experimentation, laboratory animals, research, committees.

McKelvie, D.H. (1987). Perspective of a small institution. Laboratory Animal Science 37(special issue): 125-126.
NAL call number: 410.9 P94
Descriptors: laboratory animals, animal experiments, guidelines, ACUC.

Mench, J.A. (1989). Institutional animal care and use committees: Making them responsible and responsive. In Animal Care and Use in Behavioral Research: Regulations, Issues, and Applications J.W. Driscoll (ed.), Beltsville, Maryland: United States Department of Agriculture/National Agricultural Library, pp. 15-22.
NAL call number: aHV4762 A3A64
Descriptors: federal regulations, training, peer review, ACUC.

Morton, D. (1992). A fair press for animals. New Scientist 134 (1816): 28-30.
NAL call number: 472 N42
Descriptors: animal experiments, ethics, animal welfare, animal husbandry, tips for improving scientific writing.

New York Academy of Sciences (1997). The use of animals in research and testing.
In Background readings for the joy of experimental psychology (3rd ed.), Dubuque, Iowa: Kendall/Hunt Publishing Co., pp. 24-29.
Descriptors: animal welfare, ethics, animal models, regulations, duplication of research, pain, distress, euthanasia, animal disposal, research, education.

Olson, H.M., T.E. Eurell, S.J. Hermansky, and A.K. Hubbard(1996). From teachers to toxicologists: answering the tough questions about animal research. Fundamental and Applied Toxicology 34 (1): 5-14.
NAL call number: RA1190.F8
Descriptors: toxicology; animal research, public relations, communication

Parker, H.R. (1974). Report from the Committee on Animal Care and Experimentation (American Physiological Society). Physiologist 17(2): 133-134.
NAL call number: 447.8 P564
Descriptors: laboratory animals, research, cats, dogs, physiology, ACUC.

Prentice, E.D. and L. Krulisch (1996). Scaw study of IACUC activities in the U.S. The Johns Hopkins Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing Newsletter 13(2): 6-7.
NAL call number: HV4701.J6
Descriptors: animal welfare, committees, organizations, surveys.

Public Responsibility in Medicine and Research (1997). Educational materials for animal care and use in a changing research environment , ethics, technology, accountability, and efficiency: March 17-18, 1997: the San Diego Princess Resort, San Diego, California sponsored by Public Responsibility in Medicine and Research (PRIM&R) and co-sponsored by Office for Protection from Research Risks, NIH. Boston, Massachusetts: Public Responsibility in Medicine and Research, 415 p.
NAL call number: HV4913.E38 1997
Descriptors: animal experimentation, laboratory animals, animal welfare, training, committees.

Rankin, J.D. (1986). Comment on ethical committees. Acta Physiologica Scandinavica 128(554): 169-171.
NAL call number: QP1 A2 Suppl
Descriptors: animal welfare, ethics, inspection, cruelty, ACUC.

Snyder, M. D. et al. (1992). Animal care and use committees. Science-Teacher 59(2): 28-35.
Abstract: Describes the structure, activities, responsibilities, and practices of animal care and use committees established to review classroom activities and student research using animals. Provides six hypothetical situations with suggested solutions to test a committee's decision-making ability. Includes a proposed activity form for teachers. (MDH)
Descriptors: biological sciences, science activities, science education, secondary education, secondary school science, advisory committees animal husbandry, ethics, laboratory animals, science instruction, student research.

Snyder, M.D., N.K. Hinton, J.F. Cornhill, and L.E. Elfner (1992). "Animal care use committees: Deciding what is appropriate, necessary, and humane." Science Teacher 59(2): 28.
Descriptors: animal models in research, management, science teachers, ACUC.

Sweet, J.F.R. (1985). Ethical committees and animal experimentation. Veterinary Record 117(18): 479.
NAL call number: 41.8 V641
Descriptors: college, research, experimental animals, ACUC.

Wust, C.J. and P.W. Concannon (eds.) (1990). Animal Research From the Perspective of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. Animal Research, Animal Rights, Animal Legislation, Proceedings of Two Forums on the Use of Animals in Research Held at the Annual Meetings of the Society for the Study of Reproduction, Columbia, Missouri, USA, August 7, 1989 and Knoxville, Tennessee, USA, July 16, 1990, Champaign, Illinois: Society for the Study of Reproduction, pp. 38-42.
NAL call number: QL876 S6
Descriptors: Animal Welfare Act, facilities, ethology, policy.

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Last updated July 11, 2002