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 B.2. 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 B.4. Is a certain level of meeting attendance required of IACUC members?

Authority

• FAQ B.6. 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 B.13. 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 B.3. 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 B.8. 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 B.11. May the institution pay or reimburse expenses incurred by nonaffiliated members?
• ILAR News. 1991; 33(4):68-70, question #4.

Institutional Officials

• FAQ B.10. Does the Institutional Official have authority to halt 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 B.1. 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 B.7. 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 (Unaffiliated) Members

Terminology: May also be known as non-scientific and non-affiliated members.

• FAQ B.1. What are the IACUC membership criteria?
• FAQ B.11. May the institution pay or reimburse expenses incurred by nonaffiliated members?
• FAQ B.12. How does OLAW define nonscientific IACUC member?
• FAQ B.14. How does OLAW define nonaffiliated IACUC member?
• FAQ B.15. 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
• OPRR Reports 97-03 Maintenance of Properly Constituted IACUCs
• Lab Animal 2020; 49(7). Confidentiality & conflict: can one member serve two IACUCs?
• Lab Animal 2005; 34(1). Alternate IACUC Members: What Are the Rules?
• Lab Animal. 2003; 32(9):33-36, question #7.
• Contemporary Topics 1997 36(2):47-50, questions 3-4
• OLAW Webinar: OLAW Online Office Hour

Quorum

• FAQ B.5. 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 B.9. 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?