Procedure No.:   19.049

Page No.:        1,2 and 3 of 3

Date Issued:     02/01/95

Issued By:       T.L. Chesnut

I. SCOPE

This policy applies to all research, training, and biological testing activities which involve live, vertebrate animals and which are conducted by faculty, staff, and students at Ohio University, or at another institution as a consequence of sub-granting activities or the establishment of other cooperative agreements.

II. PURPOSE

A. To insure that acceptable standards are met for the humane care and use of live, vertebrate animal in research, training, and biological testing activities; to assure a favorable climate for the conduct of scientific inquiry or training; and to protect the interests of Ohio University.

B.To bring Ohio University policy on the care and use of animals in research, training, and biological testing activities into compliance, with the requirements of the Animal Welfare Act (Public Law 89-544 as emended) and the revised Public Health Service on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals by Awardee Institutions (NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, Vol. 14, No. 8, June 2-5, 1985).

II. POLICY

A. Statement

1. Ohio University acknowledges and accepts responsibility for the care and use of animals involved in research, training or biological testing activities. As partial fulfillment of this responsibility, Ohio University will make a reasonable effort to ensure that all individuals involved in the care and use of Laboratory animals understand their individual and collective responsibilities for compliance with this policy as well as all other applicable laws and regulations pertaining to animal care and use.

2. Ohio University will maintain a program for activities involving animals in accordance with the PHS Guide the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, NIH Publication No. 85-23 Revised 1985.

3. Ohio University will comply with all applicable provisions of the Animal Welfare Act and other Federal statutes and regulations relating to animals.

4. Ohio University is guided by the U.S. Government Principles for the utilization and care of vertebrate Animals used in Research Testing and Training (NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, Vol.14 No. 8, June 25, 1985).

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B.Implementation Procedures

Implementation procedures shall rest upon the establishment of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), a recognized function which shall be to provide advice and guidance to investigators regarding the care and utilization of animals in research, training and biological testing activities. Ultimate responsibility for such care and use, however, remains with the investigator; review and approval of a project do not relieve the investigator of that responsibility.

The IACUC shall be constituted in compliance with the revised Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals by Awardee Institutions. Members will be appointed by the Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies with the advice and counsel of the sitting committee and practicing scientists, who will hold a voting majority on the committee. Members will serve three year terms. The IACUC will report to the Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies.

C. General Principles Guiding Project Review

1. The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee shall be guided by the following principles when reviewing a project which involves the use of animals:

   a.Procedures with animals will avoid or minimize discomfort, distress and pain to the animals, consistent with sound research design.

   b. Procedures that may cause more than momentary or slight pain or distress to the animals will be performed with appropriate sedation, analgesia, or anesthesia, unless the procedure is justified for scientific reasons in writing by the investigator.

   c. Animals that would otherwise experience severe or chronic pain or distress that cannot be relieved will be painlessly sacrificed at the end of the procedure, or if appropriate, during the procedure.

   d.The living conditions of animals will be appropriate for their species and contribute to their health and comfort. The housing, feeding and nonmedical care of the animals will be directed by a veterinarian or other scientist trained and experienced in the proper care, handling and use of the species being maintained or studied.

   e.Medical care for animals will be available and provided as necessary by a qualified veterinarian.
   

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   f. Personnel conducting procedures on the species being maintained or studied will be appropriately qualified and trained in those procedures.

   g. Methods of euthanasia will be consistent with the recommendations of the American Veterinary Medical Association unless a deviation is justified for scientific reasons in writing by the investigator.

2. Any project which undergoes substantial modification of design so as to change the effect on the humane care and use of animals must be resubmitted to the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee for re-evaluation. It shall be the responsibility of the project director to request such review and obtain approval prior to initiation modification.

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Dick Piccard revised this file (http://www.ohio.edu/policy/s19-049.html) on June 1, 2009.

Please E-mail any comments or suggestions to "policy@ohio.edu".

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