Special Considerations and Policy

IACUC Guidelines for the Ethical and Humane Use of Animals

It is the policy of the IACUC to review all research, testing and instructional protocols that use animals in order to assure that all procedures are appropriate and humane and conform with the PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals and the NIH Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.The primary intent of the committee is to assure that animals experience minimal distress. It is not the committee's primary responsibility to assess the science or validity of the proposed animal studies; however, the committee will consider the potential importance of the study, as well as alternative methods for obtaining such data, particularly before approving protocols in which distress is unavoidable. If animals are to experience unavoidable distress, the Animal Study Protocol must reflect how it will be kept to minimum. In addition, clear scientific justification and a discussion of the significance of the study must be provided for consideration by the Committee.

The following "Guidelines" were compiled for the purpose of assisting the Committee with the review of Animal Study Protocols and to inform the faculty of some of the guidelines that the committee currently employs in review of animal studies. Amendments, deletions and/or additions to these "Guidelines" will be made by the Committee as new information becomes available or new situations are presented to the Committee.

Index

1. Non-rodent mammalian species
• Minor survival surgery
• Major survival surgery
• Major surgery followed by less than 24 hour survival
• Post surgical care
2. Rodent species
3. Multiple survival surgery
4. Sterilization of surgical instruments and supplies

III. Use of Ether

1. For anesthesia
2. For euthanasia

V. Physical restraint of unanesthetized animals

VI. Lethal or toxic challenge

VII. Experimentation involving pain

VIII. Blood collection

IX. Tumor induction

X. Food/water restriction or deprivation

XI. Acute toxicity testing

XII. Euthanasia

XIII. Ascites collection

See Animal Care and Use Handbook for Other Policies.