4.1.0 STATEMENT AND SCOPE

According to Federal law, the University’s responsible administrative official must appoint an IACUC, also referred to as "the committee" to oversee and evaluate the institution’s animal programs, procedures and facilities to ensure that they are consistent with these and other applicable Federal laws, guidelines and policies -

A. Animal Welfare Act (Public Law 89-544, 1966, as amended (P.L. 91-579, P.L. 94-279 and P.L. 99-198) 7 U.S.C. 2131 et.seq., 9 CFR Ch. 1, Subchapter A, Parts 1, 2, and 3.

(Health Research Extension Act of 1985; 42 U.S.C. 289d P.L. 99-158.

C. US. Government Principles for the Utilization and Care of Vertebrate Animals Used in Testing, Research, and Training (Interagency Research Animal Committee)

4.2.0 MEMBERSHIP

• One member shall be a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine with training or experience in laboratory animal science and medicine, who has direct or delegated program responsibility for activities involving animals at the research facility; and

• One member shall not be affiliated in any way with the facility other than as a member of the committee and shall not be a member of the immediate family of a person who is affiliated with the facility.

B. Public Health Service Policy mandates that "the committee" shall consist of not less than five members, and shall include at least:

• One Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, with training or experience in laboratory animal medicine, who has direct or delegated program authority for activities at the institution;

• One practicing scientist experienced in research involving animals;

• One member whose primary concerns are in a nonscientific area (e.g. ethicist, lawyer, clergy); and

• One individual who is not affiliated in any way other than as a member of the committee, and is not a member of the immediate family of a person who is affiliated with the institution.

C. Guide for the Care and Use of Agricultural Animals in Agricultural Research and Teaching recommends that "the committee" should consist of at least:

• One Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, with training or experience in agricultural animal medicine;

• One practicing scientist with experience in agricultural research or teaching involving agricultural animals;

• One animal scientist who has appropriate training in the management of agricultural animals and recognized high professional credentials as verified by the scientific and professional societies in animal science;

• One individual who is not affiliated in any way other than as a member of the committee, and is not a member of the immediate family of a person who is affiliated with the institution; and

• Other members as required by institutional needs and applicable laws, regulations and policies.

4.3.0 RESTRICTIONS

A. If the Committee consists of more than three members, not more than three members shall be from the same administrative unit (Animal Welfare Act: 9 CFR 2.31(b)(4)).

B. An individual who meets the requirements of more than one of the member catergories, may fulfill more than one requirement. However, no committee may consist of less than five members. (Public Health Service Policy: IV.A.3.c).

4.4.0 MEMBERSHIP APPOINTMENT GUIDELINES

A. Members shall be appointed to the University of Hawaii’s Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee by the Office of the Chancellor.

B. The Committee functions are administered through the UH Compliance Office.

C. Membership appointments may be extended by the Office of Chancellor, through the Program’s Designated Institutional Official.

4.5.0 REFERENCES

In fulfilling it’s mandate, the University’s IACUC uses these laws, guidelines, and policies and other published references in addition to those listed in section 4.1.0.

Marine Mammal Protection Act

Endangered Species Act

OPRR’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee Handbook

Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals

Institute of Laboratory Animal Resources Journal