Regulatory and Accreditation

The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee

Georgetown University’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) oversees the University’s animal programs, facilities and procedures ensuring the appropriate care, use, and humane treatments of animals being used for research, testing and education. The IACUC serves as a resource to faculty, investigators, technicians, students, staff, and administrators, providing guidance in fulfilling the obligation to plan and conduct all animal use procedures with the highest scientific, humane, and ethical principles.

Responsibilities of the IACUC:

• Review, at least once every six months, the University’s program for humane care and use of animals, using the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (Guide), NRC 2011  , as a basis for evaluation
• Inspect, at least once every six months, all of the university’s animal facilities (including satellite facilities and PI labs where animals are transported) using the Guide   as a basis for evaluation.
• Prepare reports of the IACUC evaluations (Program review, PI and DCM inspections) conducted as required by regulation and submit these reports to the Institutional Official. This report contains a description of the nature and extent of adherence to, and also identify and explain departures from, the Guide, NIH/USDA Policy and AAALAC Accreditation status. The reports distinguish significant deficiencies from minor deficiencies. A significant deficiency being one which, consistent with NIH/USDA Policy, and, in the judgment of the IACUC and the Institutional Official, is or may be a threat to the health or safety of the animals. If deficiencies are noted, the reports must contain a reasonable and specific plan and schedule for correcting each deficiency. The reports are signed by a majority of the IACUC members and minority opinions are included. 
• Review and investigate concerns involving the care and use of animals at the university.
• Make recommendations to the Institutional Official regarding any aspect of the university’s animal program, facilities, or personnel training.
• Review and approve, require modifications in (to secure approval), or withhold approval of activities related to the care and use of animals (new and renewal protocols and amendments).
• Authorized to suspend an activity involving animals. If the IACUC suspends an activity involving animals, the Institutional Official, in consultation with the IACUC, will review the reasons for suspension, take appropriate corrective actions, and report that action as appropriate.
• Ensures that all personnel involved with animal care, treatment or use are appropriately trained.

The IACUC Office

• Supports the work of the IACUC. 
• Assists investigators in completing animal use protocols and amendments
• Assists investigators by answering questions and directing them to the appropriate resources (e.g. policies, departments, etc). 
• Sends out notices of protocol renewals.
• Provides administrative pre-review of protocols. 
• Schedules meetings and compiles the minutes of the IACUC meetings. 
• Manages the protocol review process to ensure reviews follow the regulations and are completed in a timely manner.
• Prepares all approval letters. 
• Verifies completion of all training and occupational health requirements.
• Maintains, updates, and submits official IACUC data, records, and reports.
• Manages the Post Approval Monitoring program (PAM)
• Schedules and coordinates all semi annual inspection processes

The Institutional Official

The institutional official (IO) bears ultimate responsibility for the Program, although overall Program direction should be a shared responsibility among the IO, attending veterinarian (AV), and IACUC. The IO has the authority to allocate the resources needed to ensure alignment of Program goals with the institution’s mission. The Executive Vice President for Health Sciences serves as the IO for animal care and use at Georgetown University. The AV, IACUC Administrator, IACUC Chair, and IO maintain an open line of communication regarding all aspects of the animal care and use program.

The Attending Veterinarian

The AV is responsible for the health and well-being of all laboratory animals used at Georgetown University. The AV has authority, including access to all animals, and resources to manage the program of veterinary care and oversee other aspects of animal care and use (e.g., husbandry, housing) to ensure that the Program complies with the Guide. The AV also serves as consultant to research investigators in the veterinary aspects of protocol design. At Georgetown the AV also serves as the Director of the DCM.