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IACUC Authority
- IACUCs derive their authority from federal law. They
are mandated by the Health
Research Extension Act (HREA) of
1985 and the Animal
Welfare Act (AWA) .
The laws require the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of an
organization to appoint the IACUC.
- Once appointed, IACUCs
report to a senior administrator known as the Institutional
Official (IO). The IO must have administrative and operational
authority to commit institutional resources to ensure
compliance with the PHS Policy, the AWA
Regulations (AWARs) , and other requirements.
- The IACUC is required to perform
semiannual program evaluations as a means of overseeing
the animal care and use program. The IACUC advises the
IO on the status of the institution’s compliance,
establishes plans and schedules for correcting deficiencies,
and makes recommendations to the IO regarding any aspect
of the institution’s
animal program, facilities, or personnel training.
- The IACUC is responsible for reviewing protocols that involve
the use of vertebrate animals. The IACUC’s
authority to review and approve protocols is independent
of the IO who may not overrule an IACUC decision to withhold
approval. (The opposite is not true. If the IACUC approves
a protocol, the institution is not required
or obligated to conduct the activity.) The institution
may subject protocols to additional institutional review
(e.g., department director, biosafety committee, etc.).
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