PRP 3995 - Animal Subjects Research

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  4. PRP 3995 - Animal Subjects Research

Issued by: Patrick J. Schloss Ph.D. Acting President, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Effective Date: Fall 2004
Date Logged: Feb. 5, 2004
NOTES: Endorsed by Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee March 22, 1991. Endorsed by Bloomsburg University Curriculum Committee April 3, 1991. Presented as information item to University Forum April 24, 1991. Amended by Bloomsburg University Curriculum Committee on Jan. 14, 2004. Reported to Forum on Feb. 4, 2004.

Bloomsburg University recognizes its ethical and legal responsibility to provide a mechanism to protect animal subjects used in research under the auspices of the institution. Since 1982 Bloomsburg University has maintained an Assurance of Compliance with the Public Health Service (PHS) Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (Assurance #:A3043). As specified under this assurance, an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) was formed and maintains a program for activities involving animal research in accordance with the National Institutes of Health Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.

Responsibility of the IACUC

The members of the IACUC (a) review annually the institution's program for humane care and use of animals; (b) inspect at least twice annually all of the institution's animal facilities; (c) review concerns involving the care and use of animals; (d) review protocols of research conducted at the university that involve animal subjects; (e) approve/require modification in or withhold approval of those sections of the protocol related to the care and use of animals as set forth in the PHS Policy; (f) notify in writing the investigators and the institution of its decision to approve or withhold approval of research protocols; (g) make written recommendations to the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and the Dean of the College of Science and Technology regarding any aspect of the institution's animal program, facilities, or personnel training; (h) maintain minutes of the IACUC meetings, records of proposals, and proposed changes in the care and use of animals.

Administration

The IACUC reports directly to the Assistant Vice President for Graduate Studies and Research who in turn reports to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and the President of the University. The IACUC is authorized to suspend activities involving the care and use of animals as set forth in the PHS Policy.

IACUC Membership

Members of the IACUC shall be appointed by the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and the President of the University for a three-year term. Federal guidelines require that the IACUC must consist of at least five members. At least one member must not be involved in animal research. At least one member must not be associated formally with the university. At least one member must be a veterinarian. The veterinarian may also serve as the member not affiliated with the university. The remaining members of the IACUC will be faculty actively involved in animal research. A chairperson will be elected by the members of the committee and will serve for one year.

Applicability

Any individual conducting research employing vertebrate animals as subjects must submit an Animal Research Protocol Form to the IACUC. A research project is any activity designed to uncover new information and should not be confused with classroom demonstrations or projects where the sole purpose is to instruct students in methods of experimentation; however, all classroom demonstrations that involve surgical procedures, animal discomfort, anesthesia, or euthanasia must submit an Animal Research Protocol. The Protocol must be submitted whether or not the project is funded by a federal grant. In order to assure that research activities do not unnecessarily duplicate previous research without scientific rationale or justification, a new Protocol must be submitted for every research project or classroom demonstration, even if an identical Protocol has been previously approved. The Animal Research Protocol Form will ask each individual conducting animal research to include the scientific rationale for any duplication of an activity and a description of the appropriateness of the number of animals being used.

Protocol

An Animal Research Protocol Form may be obtained from the Grants Office in Waller Administration Building. Five copies of the Protocol should be submitted to the chairperson of the IACUC. The name of the chairperson of the IACUC may be obtained by calling the Director of Grants at extension 4129. An Animal Research Protocol will be reviewed by one or more committee members. If the Protocol is not approved, it will be given a full committee review for further consideration. If a full committee review is conducted, approval of the project may be granted only after approval vote of a majority of the quorum present. The Protocol must be acted upon within two weeks of submission. The purpose of the IACUC is to address concerns directly related to the health and welfare of animals such as the procedures used to avoid or minimize discomfort, the proper use of sedation or methods of euthanasia. The purpose of the review is not to evaluate the scientific merits of the proposal. Copies of reviewed Animal Research Protocols will be maintained by the Grants Office.