Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee

Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee Procedures

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Policy for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals in Experimentation | TTU Policy 740
(Revised 1/1/2020)

1. Purpose
   The purpose of the policy is to ensure the humane care and use of vertebrate animals (hereafter "animals") in research, testing, and training, and to adhere to applicable laws, principles, standards, guidelines, best practices, and policies affecting such care and use. The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) provides for and protects the welfare of animals used for research and pedagogy. IACUC reviews research protocols and conducts evaluations of the University’s animal care and use, which includes the results of inspections of facilities that are required by law and set forth by the University in accordance with the Public Health Service Act (PHS Act) mandated by the Health Research Extension Act of 1985, Public Law 99-158, and its amendments from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 9 CFR 9, Parts 1-3.
2. Review
   This policy will be reviewed every three years or whenever circumstances require review, whichever is earlier, by the Tennessee Tech Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, with recommendations for revision presented to the Vice President for Research and Economic Development, Administrative Council, and University Assembly.
3. Definition
   Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) – committee charged with the review of research protocols and with conducting evaluations of Tennessee Tech’s animal care and use, which includes the results of inspections of facilities that are required by law. The IACUC consists of at least five members who are qualified to regulate animal care at Tennessee Tech, and must include a veterinarian, a practicing scientist experienced in animal research, a member with primary concerns that are in nonscientific areas, and one member with no affiliation with Tennessee Tech, except for serving on the IACUC. One member can fulfill more than one role, but the committee must still consist of at least five members.
4. Policy
   1. Tennessee Tech hereby adopts policies on the use of animals in research, testing, and training (sponsored or non-sponsored) that are in compliance with federal laws and regulations in accordance with the Public Health Service Act (PHS Act) mandated by the Health Research Extension Act of 1985, Public Law 99-158, and its amendments from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 9 CFR 9, Parts 1-3; and the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (2011 or the most current version published by the National Research Council of the National Academies, and/or the Animal Welfare Act (Title 9 CFR Chapter 1 Subchapter A)).
   2. Researchers are responsible for the humane care and use of animals in research, testing, and training, and for complying with all federal laws and regulations, Tennessee Tech policies and guidelines, and any other requirements related to the humane care and use of animals in research, testing, and training.
   3. The procedures/application for approval to use animals in research, testing, and training are in accordance with Tennessee Tech’s procedures as established by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and found on its page within Research & Economic Development website.
   4. The IACUC may approve, require modification of, or withhold approval of a project. Animal use in the absence of IACUC approval is a serious violation of Tennessee Tech’s policy and a violation of federal law.
   5. Researchers are also responsible for adhering to federal guidelines for the handling of animals and contingencies for their evacuation as provided in 7 U.S.C. 2131-2159; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and 371, descriptions of which can be found on the Government Publishing Office website and the Cornell Law School website.
   6. Tennessee Tech will comply with TTU Policy 770 (Whistleblower Protection in Research).
   7. Tennessee Tech is committed to the ethical and compliant care and use of animals in research, teaching, and testing. The policy and procedures for preventing and reporting fraud, waste, or abuse with regard to animal care and use in research can be found in TTU Policy 131 (Preventing and Reporting Fraud, Waste, or Abuse).
   8. Researchers must familiarize themselves and comply with applicable guidelines and policies including, but not limited to:
      1. TTU Policy 132 (Conflict of Interest)
      2. TTU Policy 735 (Conflict of Interest in Research)
      3. 42 CFR 50.601 et seq.
      4. 45 CFR 94.1 et seq.
   9. Non-compliance that occurs in the context of IACUC- approved research requires corrective action. The IACUC will determine the actions required and will take into consideration the nature, severity, and frequency of the non-compliance and the risk that non-compliance poses to animal welfare. Consequences for non-compliance may include, but are not limited to: (1) implementing measures to prevent recurrence; (2) notifying the Executive Officer of IACUC and Human Resources of the actions; (3) notifying funding or regulatory agencies, as required; and/or (4) notifying the complainant, any persons against whom allegations were directed, and pertinent program officials (appropriate supervisory and management staff, the public affairs office, institutional attorneys, etc.).
   10. Before applying for grants that involve the use of animals in research, testing, and training, and before filing an application with the IACUC to undertake animal care research, investigators must complete and pass CITI training as defined by the Office of Research and Economic Development and found on the CITI Training page of its website under the Research Compliance section. Submission of a current passing certificate from CITI indicates successful completion of all appropriate general and taxon-specific modules.
   11. The President will appoint members of IACUC as subject to requirements described in the Public Health Service Act (PHS Act) mandated by the Health Research Extension Act of 1985, Public Law 99-158, and its amendments from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 9 CFR 9, Parts 1-3, the Animal Welfare Act (Title 9 CFR Chapter 1 Subchapter A).
5. Interpretation
   The Vice President for Research and Economic Development or his/her designee has the final authority to interpret the terms of this policy.
6. Citation of Authority for Policy

T.C.A. § 49-8-203 (a)(1)(E); 9 CFR 9, Parts 1-3; Public Law 99-158; 7 U.S.C. 2131; 42 CFR 50.601 et seq.; 45 CFR 94.1 et seq.

Approved by:

Administrative Council: 11/15/17; 2/25/15
University Assembly: 11/29/17; 4/22/15

Contact Research & Economic Development (research@tntech.edu or (931) 372-3897) for requests to view minutes of the IACUC.