Non-Human Vertebrates Policy

It is the policy of Bradley University to ensure the appropriate care and use of all live vertebrate animals involved in research, research training and biological testing activities.  To effect this policy, Bradley University has established an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) which will act in accordance with the  Animal Welfare Act [Public Law 89-544, 1966, as amended (P.L. 91-579 and P.L. 94-279) 7 U.S.C. 2131 et. seq.].  The specific guidelines for the care and use of animals as adopted by Bradley University are to be found in the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Physical Health Service, National Institutes of Health, NIH Publication No. 85-23, Revised 1985, or succeeding revised editions (hereinafter referred to as the Guide ).  A copy of this guide is available for review at OSP. 

Functions of the IACUC

• To review annually the institution’s program for humane care and use of animals. 

• To inspect annually all of the institution’s animal facilities. 

• To review any complaints involving the care and use of animals. 

• To make recommendations to the responsible institutional official regarding any aspect of the animal programs and facilities. 

• To review, approve, require modifications or withhold approval of all research proposals, internal or external. 

• To review, approve, require modifications or withhold approval of significant proposed changes in ongoing research activities. 

• To review, approve, require modifications, or withhold approval, of educational and/or research training activity proposals. 

• To suspend any activities in violation of the requirements listed below in Section 2. 

• To notify applicants in writing of decisions to approve or withhold approval of research proposals or research training activities.  All projects which have been approved by IACUC  may be subject for further review and possible disapproval on grounds other than animal care and use by appropriate institutional officials.  However, projects which have been disapproved by IACUC may not be subsequently approved by any official of the University. 

• To notify, in writing, the responsible University official of any suspension of activities and to confer with that official as to the appropriate corrective action to be taken. 

• To consult with experts such as veterinarians, medical researchers, or legal representatives concerning any research proposals or other activities. 

• To hold meetings as required by the submission of proposals but under no conditions less than four times per year.  A quorum is a majority of the members of the IACUC. 

• Procedures will avoid or minimize discomfort, distress, and pain to the animals, consistent with sound research design. 

• Procedures that may cause more than momentary or slight pain or distress will be  performed with appropriate sedation, analgesia or anesthesia unless the procedure is  justified for scientific reasons by the investigator and approved by IACUC. 

• Animals that would otherwise experience severe or chronic pain or distress that cannot be relieved will be painlessly sacrificed as soon as practicable. 

• The living conditions of all animals must be appropriate for their species and contribute to their health and comfort as indicated in the Guide. 

• Medical care for animals must be available and provided as necessary by a qualified veterinarian. 

• Personnel conducting research or demonstrations must be qualified and trained in these procedures. 

• Methods of euthanasia must be consistent with the recommendations of the American Veterinary Medical Association Panel on Euthanasia 14 unless a deviation is justified for scientific reasons by the investigator and is approved by IACUC. 

• Any procedure involving training of students which subjects animals to discomfort distress, or pain must be supervised by a qualified member of the faculty. 

The following  information is required for Research Activities, Training or Biological Testing: 

• Identification of the species and the appropriate number of animals to be used. 

• The rationale for using animals and for the appropriateness of the species and numbers to be used. 

• A complete  description of the proposed use of the animals and the rationale for the proposed research or training activities.