Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee

Federal law requires that an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) be active at each federally-funded institution which conducts projects involving the care and use of animals. The IACUC is responsible for reviewing all animal care and use proposals at KUMC. The purpose of the IACUC is the ensure that all such research meets federal criteria as outlined in the Animal Welfare Act, Health Research Extension Act and PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. The functions of the IACUC are summarized below:

• Review at least once every six months the institution's program for humane care and use of animals;
• Inspect at least every six months all of the institution's animal facilities;
• Review concerns involving the care and use of animals at the institution;
• Make recommendations to the Institutional Official regarding any aspect of the institution's animal program, facilities, or personnel training;
• Review and approve, require modification in (to secure approval) or withhold approval of proposals;
• Review and approve, require modification in (to secure approval) or withhold approval of proposed significant changes regarding the use of animals in ongoing study; and
• Be authorized to suspend a study involving animals.

As part of the review of an animal care and use proposal, the IACUC is seeking to ensure animal subjects are treated humanely. Some criteria for review are as follows:

• Procedures with animals will avoid or minimize discomfort, distress and pain to the animals and have sound research design;
• Procedures that cause more than momentary or slight pain or distress to the animals will be performed with appropriate sedation, analgesia, or anesthetic, unless the procedure is justified for scientific reasons in writing by the investigator and approved by the IACUC;
• Animals that would otherwise experience severe or chronic pain or distress that cannot be relieved will be euthanized at the end of the procedure or, if appropriate during the procedure;
• The husbandry conditions of animals will be appropriate for their species and contribute to their health and well-being;
• Medical care for animals will be available and provided as necessary by a qualified veterinarian;
• Personnel conducting procedures on species being maintained or studied will be appropriately qualified and trained in those procedures; and
• Methods of euthanasia will be consistent with the recommendations of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Panel on Euthanasia, unless a deviation is justified for scientific reasons in writing by the investigator and approved by the IACUC..