IACUC – Research with Animals: Responsibilities of Investigators and Instructors

Investigators and instructors have the ultimate responsibility to ensure that animals are adequately cared for and used humanely. It is the investigator’s duty to:

• Document the training and experience of the personnel involved;
• Design and perform procedures on the basis of relevance to human or animal health, advancement of knowledge, or the good of society;
• Use the appropriate species, quality and number of animals to obtain valid results;
• Avoid or minimize discomfort, distress and pain in concert with sound science;
• Use appropriate sedation, analgesia or anesthesia;
• Establish experimental end points;
• Provide appropriate animal husbandry and veterinary care directed and performed by qualified persons;
• Conduct experiments on animals only under the close supervision of qualified and experienced persons;
• Consider alternatives to procedures that may cause more than momentary or slight pain and distress;
• Avoid unnecessary duplication of experiments;
• Consult with the attending veterinarian in planning animal uses involving more than minimal pain and distress;
• Provide appropriate peri-operative care to animals;
• Obtain IACUC approval prior to beginning animal work.