The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, commonly known by the acronym IACUC, is a mandated self-regulating body overseeing the use of animals in research, testing, and education across the United States. This committee plays a centralized part in ensuring that all activities involving live animals meet strict ethical and humane standards. The IACUC’s existence and responsibilities reflect a commitment to the principle that animals used for scientific progress must be treated with appropriate care and respect.
Defining the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee
The IACUC is an institutional administrative body that provides oversight of an organization’s entire animal care and use program. Every research facility must establish its own committee to ensure internal accountability and compliance with federal mandates. The committee’s primary mission is to promote the humane care and use of all animals involved in scientific endeavors, from initial acquisition to final disposition.
The committee acts as the final authority at the institutional level for reviewing and approving all proposed animal activities before any work can begin. This process involves a detailed evaluation of animal housing conditions, veterinary care, and the specific procedures planned by investigators. The IACUC is responsible for the continuous assessment of the institution’s facilities and practices, serving as a proactive internal watchdog for animal welfare.
The Legal Framework Mandating IACUCs
The requirement for an IACUC stems from two distinct federal regulatory drivers, each with its own scope and enforcement agency. The first is the Animal Welfare Act (AWA), which is codified under Title 7 of the United States Code and enforced by the Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS). The AWA covers warm-blooded animals used in research, teaching, or testing, with the notable exceptions of laboratory rats and mice bred for research, and birds.
The second major driver is the Public Health Service (PHS) Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, based on the Health Research Extension Act of 1985. This policy is administered by the National Institutes of Health’s Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) and applies to any institution receiving funding from PHS agencies, such as the NIH, CDC, or FDA. The PHS Policy has a broader scope, applying to all live, vertebrate animals used in PHS-funded activities, including the rats, mice, and birds excluded under the AWA. Institutions that receive PHS funding must sign an Animal Welfare Assurance, committing the organization to following the PHS Policy and the standards of the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.
Who Serves on the Committee
Federal regulations mandate a minimum number and diversity of members to ensure a balanced and comprehensive review of animal activities. The IACUC must consist of at least five individuals, each fulfilling a specific role that provides a unique perspective on the ethical and scientific considerations of animal use. This composition is designed to prevent a single viewpoint from dominating the review process.
The required members include:
- A Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) with training or experience in laboratory animal science and medicine. This individual advises on animal health, disease prevention, and veterinary medical care throughout the research process.
- A practicing scientist who has experience conducting research involving animals, offering insight into the technical aspects and scientific necessity of the procedures.
- A member whose primary concerns are in a non-scientific area, such as a lawyer, ethicist, or religious leader. This non-scientific member helps ensure that research protocols are reviewed with attention to general ethical principles and institutional policy.
- A non-affiliated member, who cannot be an employee of the institution or a member of the immediate family of an affiliated person. This community representative provides an independent voice, ensuring that public concerns about animal welfare are considered during deliberations.
Essential Oversight Functions
The IACUC is responsible for proactive and reactive functions that govern the animal program on an ongoing basis. The most direct function is the review, approval, or disapproval of all Animal Use Protocols submitted by investigators. During this process, the committee rigorously evaluates the scientific justification for using animals, confirming the appropriateness of the species and the minimum number of animals necessary.
A central element of protocol review is the application of the principles of the Three R’s: Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement. Replacement encourages the use of non-animal models where possible; Reduction seeks to minimize the number of animals used; and Refinement focuses on minimizing pain, distress, and suffering through improved techniques and housing.
In addition to protocol review, the IACUC must conduct a formal review of the institution’s animal care program and inspect all animal housing and use facilities at least once every six months. These semiannual inspections ensure that the physical environment, husbandry practices, and veterinary care meet the required federal standards. Should the committee find any deficiencies, it prepares a report for the Institutional Official, outlining the issues and providing a schedule for correction. Furthermore, the IACUC is required to investigate all reported concerns and has the authority to suspend any activity involving animals if welfare standards are not met.