The IACUC is the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. The IACUC at Pace oversees all animal care and use. Guidelines for ethical use of animals in research are outlined by the USDA and the US Department of Health and Human Services via the Public Health Service (PHS). The USDA enforces the Animal Welfare Act using the Animal Welfare Regulations (AWR). The Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) monitors organizations for compliance with PHS policies. Resources researchers can use to guide their work include:
- PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals
- Animal Welfare Act and Regulations
- Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (PDF)
To use animals in teaching or research, faculty must submit a protocol application to the IACUC before any activities begin. The IACUC meets twice a year to review all submissions. All applications must be received a month before the meeting to be reviewed. While some protocols can be approved quickly, others may require revisions before approval.