IACUC’s authority is founded in and guided by many sources, including regulatory statutes, institutional policies, ethical canons, and members’ own perceptions of community and professional standards.
While interpretive differences between these governing principles may exist, it should be noted that regulations offering the most stringent guidelines for the protection of animals used in research and teaching are followed. Furthermore, these principles are to be upheld without regard to whether the research is subject to federal regulation, with whom the research is conducted, or the source of support for the research.
At the heart of the federal requirements is the Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals in testing, research, and training. This policy provides the core of the operational guidelines for IACUC.
In addition, the University's policies on animal use adhere to the following federal policies:
- Animal Welfare Act
- Code of Federal Regulations Title 9, the Health Research Extension Act of 1985
- Principles for the Utilization and Care of Vertebrate Animals Used in Testing, Research, and Training
- National Research Council's Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals
- Federation of Animal Sciences Societies' Guide for the Care and Use of Agricultural Animals
These policies cover, but are not limited to:
- Acquisition, care, and use of animals
- Efforts to minimize animal pain and distress
- Training of personnel using animals
- Consideration of alternatives to animal use
- Methods whereby deficiencies in animal care and treatment are reported
- The charge of IACUC.