IACUC Composition, Functions and Authority

Alternate members

• Lab Animal 2023; 52(07) (PDF - 888.31 KB) A Word from OLAW and USDA: A Member by Any Other Name is...an Alternate?
• FAQ. May the IACUC have alternate members? 
• NOT-OD-11-053. Guidance to Reduce Regulatory Burden for IACUC Administration Regarding Alternate Members and Approval Dates

Attendance

• FAQ. Is a certain level of meeting attendance required of IACUC members?

Authority

• FAQ. Does the IACUC have authority over activities not supported by PHS?
• Lab Animal 2023; 52(05) (PDF - 779.49 KB) A Word from OLAW and USDA: Customer Inconvenience for Regulatory Convenience
• Lab Animal 2023; 52(04) (PDF - 797.08 KB) A Word From OLAW: Earthquake!
• Lab Animal. 2009; 38(6). (PDF - 188 KB) Clinical study or research activity?
• Lab Animal. 1995; 24(9):24-26, question #6.

Change in scope

• FAQ. Does OLAW expect the IACUC to notify NIH when there is a change in an animal activity supported by PHS funds?
• Lab Animal 2019; 48(10). (PDF - 665 KB) Pressure’s on: is it time to move ahead with nonhuman primates?

Composition

• FAQ. Must certain members be present in order to conduct official business?
• Lab Animal. 2014; 43(2). (PDF - 219 KB) An IACUC Chair who isn't a member.
• ILAR News. 1991; 33(4):68-70, question #3.

Confidentiality

• Lab Animal 2020; 49(7). (PDF - 723.88 KB) Confidentiality & conflict: can one member serve two IACUCs?
• Lab Animal 2016; 45(9). (PDF - 577 KB) What are the limits of confidentiality for IACUC members?
• ILAR Journal. 1995; 37(4). Use of Electronic Communications for IACUC Functions.

Electronic communications

• FAQ. May an IACUC conduct business on a teleconference call? 
• NOT-OD-06-052. Guidance on Use of Telecommunications for IACUC Meetings under the PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.
• Lab Animal. 2005; 34(2). Electronic (Mis)Communication in IACUC Procedures.
• Contemporary Topics. 2001; 40(6). Suggestions to Bring Electronic Protocol System into Compliance.
• ILAR Journal. 1995; 37(4). Use of Electronic Communications for IACUC Functions.

Financial compensation

• FAQ. May the institution pay or reimburse expenses incurred by nonaffiliated members?
• ILAR News. 1991; 33(4):68-70, question #4.

Institutional Officials

• FAQ. Does the Institutional Official have authority to suspend an activity that was previously approved by the IACUC, or to approve one that was not initially approved by the IACUC?
• Lab Animal 2019; 48(10). (PDF - 665 KB) Pressure’s on: is it time to move ahead with nonhuman primates?
• Lab Animal 2014; 43(8). (PDF - 599 KB) Animal care and use programs for multiple campuses
• Lab Animal 2012; 41(3). (PDF - 181 KB) Disagreement between IO and IACUC.
• Lab Animal 2003; 32(9). A Mouse Isn’t a Rat, But What’s the Big Deal?
• Lab Animal 1998; 27(9). The Unofficial Official?

Membership

• FAQ. What are the IACUC membership criteria?
• Lab Animal. 2009; 38(4). (PDF - 208 KB) Multiple campuses, one IACUC: how many AVs?
• Lab Animal. 2003; 32(9):33-36, question #7.
• Contemporary Topics. 1997; 36(2):47-50, question #3.
• OPRR Reports. 97-03, 6/2/1997. Maintenance of Properly Constituted IACUCs.
• ILAR News. 1993; 35(3-4):47-49, question #4.

Minutes

• FAQ. What information should be in IACUC minutes?
• Lab Animal. 2015; 44(5). (PDF - 723 KB) A Word from OLAW and USDA. Should the chairperson control IACUC meeting minutes?
• Lab Animal. 2010; 39(10). (PDF - 189 KB) Is electronic approval appropriate?

Nonscientific and Nonaffiliated members

• FAQ. How does OLAW define nonaffiliated IACUC member?
• FAQ. May one individual fulfill the requirement for both a nonaffiliated and a nonscientific member?
• NOT-OD-15-109. Guidance on Qualifications of IACUC Nonscientific and Nonaffiliated Members
• Lab Animal 2020; 49(7). (PDF - 723.88 KB) Confidentiality & conflict: can one member serve two IACUCs?
• Lab Animal. 2003; 32(9):33-36, question #7.

Quorum

• FAQ. What is a quorum and when is a quorum required?
• Lab Animal. 1996; 25(5). Majority Rules?

Review of concerns

• Lab Animal. 2020; 49(6). (PDF - 746 KB) What's in store for a whistleblower?
• Lab Animal. 2011; 40(1). (PDF - 156 KB) From ‘Designated Member’ back to ‘Full Committee’?
• Lab Animal. 2010; 39(6). (PDF - 180 KB) Revisiting approved protocols.

Suspensions

• FAQ. May an IACUC suspend (stop) animal activities that it did not initially approve?
• Lab Animal. 2023; 52(10) (PDF - 836.9 KB) Respect for the PI’s Ultimate Responsibility
• Lab Animal. 2023; 52(01) (PDF - 897.04 KB) Suspended in Terminated Access.
• Lab Animal. 2022; 51(09). (PDF - 649.24 KB) A Word from OLAW: You've Been Approved to Wait
• Lab Animal. 2019; 48(9). (PDF - 798 KB) A late notice & personal conflict - was a suspension warranted?
• Lab Animal. 2019; 48(8). (PDF - 782 KB) On hold: what to report after a study is halted?
• Lab Animal. 2013; 42(7). (PDF - 186 KB) Terms of Suspension.
• Lab Animal. 2012; 41(9). (PDF - 160 KB) Reactivation of a suspended protocol.
• Lab Animal. 2010; 39(8). (PDF - 170 KB) Noncompliance in survival surgery technique.
• Lab Animal. 2009; 38(2). (PDF - 112 KB) Reportability of protocol suspensions.
• Lab Animal. 2006; 35(10). (PDF - 87 KB) Tackling investigator noncompliance.
• Lab Animal. 1998; 27(9). The Unofficial Official?