ABSTRACT
This chapter provides guidance on how institutions may form an IACUC. It describes whose interests the IACUC should serve and whose responsibility it is to appoint the members. Since most IACUCs conduct their meetings in private, the nonafliated member of the committee can be the general public’s only link to the federally mandated oversight process for animal welfare. Accordingly, information is provided on the critical role of the nonafliated member and how institutions can go about nding an effective one. For an IACUC to fulll its regulatory requirements properly, its members must be informed of their responsibilities under federal laws, regulations, and policies. In addition to these federally mandated obligations, IACUCs may be charged with additional responsibilities by their state, city, or institution. Given the complexity of this environment, institutions have a responsibility to provide their IACUC members with specialized training. This chapter also describes some methods for IACUC member training. The latter part of the chapter suggests means by which larger institutions may utilize multiple IACUCs to reduce the workload associated with reviewing hundreds of animal use protocols and inspecting dozens of animal facilities. Finally, there is a discussion regarding whether a small institution may choose to use the services of the IACUC at a larger institution with a more extensive animal care and use program.
