Animal Research Facility

Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee

History

The Health Sciences Center Laboratory Animal Care and Use Committee was first established in 1970 as an advisory committee to the Vice President, Deans and faculties on issues related to the laboratory animal program of the HSC. In 1985, The Public Health Service endorsed the Health Research Extension Act of 1985 and published the Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals to address the provisions of the Act. Also in 1985, the USDA Animal Welfare Act was amended to include policies addressing animal research. The Animal Welfare Act and the Public Health Service Policy mandated the establishment of an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) to oversee the animal care and use program. The Public Health Service Policy applies to institutions receiving federal funds through the PHS (The Health Sciences Center) and addresses the use of all living vertebrate animals. The Animal Welfare Act regulates the use of warm-blooded mammals, excluding some of the smaller laboratory species. Both the Animal Welfare Act and the PHS Policy stipulate the composition of the IACUC. To satisfy both regulations, the IACUC must be at least 5 members, and must include an individual unaffiliated with the institution, a veterinarian with program responsibility, a practicing scientist experienced in research involving animals and a member whose concerns are in a nonscientific area

Purpose

The functions and responsibilities of the IACUC are to provide oversight of the institutions animal care and use program and facilities. These responsibilities are further delineated as follows:

1. Conduct semi-annual reviews of the institutions program for the humane care and use of animals.
2. Conduct semi-annual inspections of all institutional animal facilities and laboratories where animal activity occurs.
3. Prepare reports of these committee evaluations and submit the reports to the institutional officials.
4. Review concerns involving the care and use of animals at the Institution.
5. Make recommendations to the institutional officials regarding any aspect of the institutional animal program, facilities or personnel training.
6. Review and approve, require modifications in or withhold approval of activities related to the care and use of animals (Animal Use Protocol Review).
7. Review and approve, require modifications in or withhold approval of proposed significant changes regarding the use of animals in ongoing activities (Review Amendments to Animal Use Protocols).
8. Be authorized to suspend any activity involving animals.

Reporting Animal Concerns

If you wish to report any concern involving laboratory animals (misuse, abuse, non-approved use, inhumane treatment, etc) in the Health Sciences Center, please contact the Director of the Animal Resource Facility at 272-3936; the chairperson, or any member of the Health Sciences Center Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee; or the Office of Animal Care and Compliance telephone (to be determined). All inquiries will be kept confidential.

When a concern is reported, an IACUC subcommittee established by the chairperson will conduct an immediate review of the concern(s). Any Health Sciences Center faculty, staff or student who is the subject of a concern or complaint will be notified of the concerns expressed. The findings of the initial review may be taken before the convened IACUC for discussion. If warranted, the IACUC may suspend animal research activities or make recommendations for disciplinary action to the appropriate HSC / UNM authority.

Regulations and Policies

1. PHS Policy On The Humane Care And Use Of Laboratory Animals
2. Institute for Laboratory Animal Research
3. Animal Welfare Act
4. Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals
5. NIH Guidelines (provides links and information related to NIH guidelines pertaining to the use of laboratory animals)
6. Animal Welfare Information Center
7. Regulatory Agencies
   1. NIH - Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare
   2. USDA Office of Animal Care
   3. AAALAC (Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care, International)

Information Resources

Contact the IACUC

IACUC Forms