Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee

If you are witness to a situation of non-compliance, please contact Dr. Cheryl Murphy, Director of Research Integrity, at 423-425-4443 or Dr. Ethan Carver, IACUC Chair, at 423-425-4315.

The university regards the use of animals in research and teaching to be an essential component for continued progress in the field of science. It is committed to the highest ethical standard of animal care. Federal regulations mandate the establishment of institutional animal care and use committee (IACUC) to provide guidance, to oversee the animal care and use program, and to ensure compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and policies.

In 1966 Public Law 89-544 first established standards for the care and use of research animals. Two federal agencies, the United States Department of Agriculture and the Public Health Service, require institutions using animals to appoint an IACUC and charge the IACUC with specific responsibilities. Committee members include scientists, non-scientists, and unaffiliated residents of the community. IACUC members review all requests for approval to conduct research with animals. The IACUC also conducts inspections of all areas where animals are housed and used, reviews the institutional program for animal use, and reports ts findings to the certifying agencies semi-annually.

Be Proactive

It is imperative that you discuss plans to utilize vertebrate animals in research with the IACUC prior to initiating your research. This includes populations housed at the university or living in the field. Research may only be deemed exempt from IACUC review by the IACUC chairperson.

The Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) governs the interpretation of the Public Health Service (PHS) policy on humane care and use of laboratory animals, supports educational programs, and monitors compliance with the Policy by assured institutions to ensure the humane care and use of animals in PHS-supported research. The UTC animal research facility has earned and maintains OLAW assurance certification, indicating compliance with PHS policies. The UTC assurance number is A4450-01.

Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee Bylaws

For additional information on submission procedures, review status, and other general inquiries, please contact [email protected], or 423-425-4443.