IACUC Mission Statement
The mission of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) is to oversee the provisions for the care and well-being of animals used for research and educational purposes at The University of Texas at Austin. The IACUC is also committed to serving the public by ensuring conformance to all legal and ethical standards regarding the use of animals in research. In addition, the IACUC is engaged in assisting animal research investigators with their animal-related needs.
Why must we have an IACUC?
All institutions that use vertebrate animals for research, teaching, research training and biological testing are required to create an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) to oversee and evaluate all aspects of the institution's animal care and use program. The IACUC is a self-regulating body which derives its existence from two sources: 1.) the Animal Welfare Act and its amendments, which are administered by the USDA through the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), and 2.) the Health Research Extension Act and its amendments, which are administered by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) through the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW.) In addition, The University of Texas at Austin is fully accredited by The Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care, International (AALAC), a voluntary, non-governmental association.
Who sits on the IACUC?
The IACUC must be comprised of a minimum of five members including a veterinarian with program responsibilities, a scientist experienced in laboratory animal procedures, a non-scientist and a non-affiliate (a person who has no other affiliation with the organization other than sitting on the IACUC committee.) The University of Texas at Austin's IACUC committee is comprised of 14 voting members with the qualifications listed above. An ad hoc, non-voting member also sits on the IACUC to address issues related to the Vice President of Research.
What are the responsibilities of the IACUC?
The responsibilities of the IACUC include, but are not limited to the following list. The IACUC will:
- Inspect all of
the animal facilities,
including animal study
areas and satellite facilities
at least once every six
months.
- Review the animal
resource center's program
for the utilization of
animals in research at
least once every six months.
- Review and approve,
require modifications to,
or withhold approval to
animal care and use protocols.
- Review and investigate
legitimate concerns involving
the care and use of laboratory
animals resulting from
public, employee or student
complaints. Serious
or continuing non-compliance
will be reported to the
appropriate agency.
- Suspend an activity involving animals if non-compliance is verified; take corrective action and report non-compliance to funding agencies.
To view the IACUC Policies and Procedures Manual visit the Policies and Procedures page.