Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee

Institutions that receive Public Health Service support for activities involving vertebrate animals or that are subject to the authority of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) must operate an animal care and use program with clear lines of authority and responsibility.

The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) is mandated by the Health Research Extension Act and the AWA. It serves as an ethics board committed to the welfare of animals used in research.

At Seattle Children's Research Institute, the president is the designated Institutional Official for the IACUC.

The Research Institute's Animal Welfare (PHS) Assurance number is A3189-01. The animal care and use program at Seattle Children's Research Institute is fully accredited since November 4, 1999.

Responsibilities

The IACUC plays an important role in assuring that the animals under its purview are used and cared for in a humane manner.

The regulatory charges of the IACUC include:

  • Reviewing the institution's program for animal care and use at least biannually
  • Inspecting all of the institution's animal facilities, including animal study areas and satellite facilities
  • Reporting to the institutional official on the above inspections and reviews and making recommendations for corrections
  • Investigating concerns involving the care and use of animals at the institution resulting from complaints from personnel at the institution or the public
  • Reviewing proposed activities related to the care and use of animals including modifications to previously approved activities (protocol review)
  • Suspending an activity involving animals if it does not comply with PHS policy, animal welfare regulation, the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals or the Research Institute’s Animal Welfare Assurance

Membership

The Research Institutional Official appoints IACUC members.

Committee requirements include:

  • An attending veterinarian who is certified by the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine or has training or experience in laboratory animal science and medicine
  • An IACUC chair
  • At least one practicing scientist experienced in research involving animals
  • At least one public member (nonaffiliated member) to represent the general community's interests in the proper care and use of animals
  • At least one member whose primary concerns are in a nonscientific area (for example: lawyer, ethicist, clergy)  

Forms and Policies

IACUC forms and policies are located on our intranet, CHILD.