Bylaws of the

Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)

AUB

 

The IACUC is responsible for overseeing the use and care of animals and animal care facilities at the American University of Beirut Faculty of Medicine (AUB-FM) and for the review of research and teaching activities involving animals conducted on AUB-FM premises and /or by faculty, students and staff at AUB-FM.  The IACUC functions in compliance with the Public Health Service Policy on the Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (USA), and adopts the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals of the Institute for Laboratory Animal Research of the National Academy of Sciences, U.S.A..

 

Composition:

 

The IACUC shall be appointed by the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine.

 

The Dean shall designate a chairperson for the committee, who should be a member familiar with animal research and preferably with previous experience on an IACUC.

 

The IACUC shall consist of at least 5 members who must include the veterinarian of the university and at least one person not affiliated with the university, one person whose primary vocation is nonscientific, and one person actively engaged in animal research;  the same member may fulfill more than one of these roles.

 

Functions:

 

The IACUC shall:

 

  1. Review and approve, require modification in, or withhold approval to, proposals for research and teaching that require the use of animals.
  2. Review and approve, require modification in, or withhold approval to, changes regarding the use of animals in ongoing, previously approved, activities.
  3. Suspend any activity that is not in compliance with the policies and guidelines that govern the use and care of animals at AUB-FM. 
  4. Inspect the institutional animal care facilities at least once every 6 months.
  5. Review the Animal Care Program for the humane care and use of animals at AUB-FM at least once every 6 months.
  6. Submit reports to the Dean or designated institutional official on the review and inspection processes at least once every six months.
  7. Make written recommendations relating to the Animal Care Program, animal care facilities and related personnel or programs.
  8. Review concerns involving the care and use of animals at the AUB-FM.