There are many regulations and policies that affect the use of animals in research, teaching, and testing programs. Accordingly, the university has both legal and ethical obligations to review all use of animals on or off campus. This includes observation, contact, and manipulation of living or dead animals, or significantly altering their environments. University of California Policy, the Animal Welfare Act (and its 1985 amendments), and the Public Health Service (PHS) Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (otherwise known as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Policy), require appointment of an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) to oversee the animal care and use program. Federal funding agencies require IACUCs to approve proposals for the care and use of animals before funds will be awarded. An institution's failure to comply with these regulations and policies may lead to various actions, including the termination of support for all projects.
In accordance with various sponsoring and public regulatory agencies, the IACUC committee regularly reviews all matters relating to animals for research and teaching purposes. The committee must assure that the use of animals considers both scientific and humane values. Recommendations are made to the Office of Research and the Natural Sciences Dean regarding the adequacy of the animal resource facilities and programs in conforming to all applicable laws, regulations, and guidelines.
© 2008 The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved. Maintained by orca@ucsc.edu