POL-U4520.09 Addressing Animal Care And Use in Research And Instruction

Dates and Approval

Effective Date:

April 11, 2017

Who does this policy apply to?

This policy applies to individuals in colleges, departments, and units conducting research or instruction using vertebrate animals.

Overview

There is no overview for this policy.

Definitions

Animals

Live vertebrate animals used or intended for use for research, teaching, experimentation, or for exhibition purposes.

Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC):

A committee qualified through the experience and expertise of its members that oversees the University’s animal program, facilities, and procedures. The committee must have at least five members including a chair, a practicing scientist, a person whose primary concerns are in a non-scientific area, a veterinarian, the Research Compliance Officer (RCO), and a non-affiliated community member. Members may serve in serve multiple roles.

Institutional Official (IO)

The individual responsible for oversight of the University Animal Care and Use program.

Investigator

Faculty, staff, or students under the direction of permanent University employees using animals for research or education.

Research Compliance Officer (RCO)

A representative from Research and Sponsored Programs who serves on the IACUC and administers the IACUC operations and research protocols for federal regulatory compliance including retaining IACUC records as required by state and federal law.

Adverse Events

The occurrence of an unforeseen event that negatively impacts the welfare of research animal(s) involving pain, distress, and/or death of the animal.

Policy Statements

1. Research and Sponsored Programs (RSP) Administers Animal Care and Use on the University Campus and its Satellite Locations

No additional description for this statement.

2. Investigators Must Submit a Descriptive Research Protocol

Research protocols must include research methods and procedures addressing the
following:


i. Scientific rationale for the species and number of animals used as well as consideration of alternatives for animal use,

ii. An explanation that the investigator has considered alternatives to procedures that may cause more than momentary or slight pain or distress to the animals,

iii. A written narrative description of the methods and sources used to determine that alternatives to animal use are not available, and

iv. A written assurance that the research activities do not unnecessarily duplicate previous experiments.


Protocols must be submitted at least four weeks prior to the planned research start date.

3. Care for Animals Must Comply with Standards Established by the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals

Care and use of laboratory animals standards include:


a. Investigators must provide animals with appropriate environmental enrichment including social groupings and the enrichment of the animals' physical environment, whenever possible. 

b. Animals must receive care seven days a week.

c. Dietary or water restrictions must be scientifically justified and must be approved by the IACUC.

d. Animals cannot be removed from the vivarium for more than 24 hours without IACUC approval.

e. Investigators must use pharmaceutical grade drugs whenever available. Use  of nonpharmaceutical grade drugs should be described and justified in the animal care and use protocol, and approved by the IACUC.

f. Procedures that may cause more than momentary or slight pain or distress to the animals will be performed with appropriate sedation, analgesia, or anesthesia, unless justified for scientific reasons in writing by the investigator, and approved by the IACUC.

g. Investigators must euthanize animals in a humane way as established in the American Veterinarian Medical Association Guidelines for Euthanasia of Animals.

4. Protocol Approval Is Required Prior to Animal Use

AICUC approves all research protocols. Investigators shall not use animals for research or instruction prior to AICUC approval.

5. Investigators Must Renew Protocols Annually and Resubmit A New Protocol Every Three Years

No additional description for this statement.

6. Allergy Medical Evaluation Is Required for Investigators with Animal Contact

Investigators having direct, physical contact with animals must complete allergy medical evaluation and submit it to the University Health Center if:

a. The faculty or staff member has 24 or more hours of animal contact per year, or

b. The student has contact in an instructional setting of one quarter duration.

7. Investigators Retain Data, Lab Books, and Data Analysis for Six Years Following the Completion of the Research

No additional description for this statement.

8. Investigators May Not Convey Animals to Third Parties Without IACUC Approval

Investigators may not supply animals to individuals or organizations for use in experiments, as pets, or for other purposes except as approved by the IACUC.

9. Failing to Comply with this Policy May Consitute Research Misconduct

No additional description for this statement.