Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) enforces Augusta University compliance with the Animal Welfare Act by conducting at least one unannounced inspection tours each year. IACUC records and the animal use facilities are examined. The Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) enforces the Public Health Service (PHS) Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. OLAW makes announced inspections of animal care and use procedures at Augusta University. Either agency can request suspension of federal support for Augusta University's research efforts if the institution is found to be in violation of regulations.

The IACUC has been given oversight responsibility to enforce USDA regulations and the Augusta University Assurance of Compliance with Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals by federal regulatory law. The Animal Use Protocol (AUP) provides the basis for compliance and IACUC approval provides the assurance. Thus, investigators must closely adhere to the AUP for every aspect of animal care and use. Inappropriate animal care or treatment (including deviations from those approved in the AUP) will be investigated by the IACUC. An AUP can be suspended by a majority vote by the IACUC, an action, which by law cannot be reversed by an institutional official. OLAW is notified of such an occurrence whether or not the project is federally funded. The IACUC will notify the investigator of the corrective actions needed to reinstate the AUP.

The IACUC may temporarily stop, or suspend any activity that is previously approved if it determines that the activity is not being conducted in accordance with applicable provisions of the Animal Welfare Act, Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare or the USDA. The IACUC may suspend an activity only after review of the matter at a convened meeting of a quorum of the IACUC and with the suspension vote of a majority of the quorum present.

If the IACUC suspends an activity involving animals, the IACUC Chairperson will notify the Principal Investigator in writing. The IACUC Chairperson, the Director of LAS, and the Veterinarian shall convene a meeting of the concerned parties. Results of the convened meeting will be sent to the IACUC for final determination. The Vice President for Research will forward a full explanation of the incident and resulting action to the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW), other funding agencies and the USDA as required.

Reactivation of suspended AUPs will be part of the process in defining how long suspension will be in effect.