Do I Need IACUC Review?

IACUC approval is NOT required for use of animal-derived data when the investigator or his/her personnel did not intentionally participate in producing the data, either via activities or funding.

For example, previously-collected data may be used in retrospective studies without IACUC approval.

Research and teaching activities using cadavers or tissues from dead animals do NOT require a protocol.

UNLESS the cadavers or tissues are to be acquired from animals specifically purchased or euthanized for the activity, or if the recipient will influence the timing or method of euthanasia.

Examples of situations that do not require an IACUC protocol include the use of:

• Unused or discarded carcasses when the recipient has no influence over the timing or method of euthanasia
• Unused or discarded clinical samples
• Slaughterhouse tissues when the animal was not slaughtered specifically for the activity
• Archival tissues from tissue banks, museum collections, or similar sources

Non-invasive observation of wild animals in their natural habitat is exempt from IACUC review. Please submit a Determination if IACUC is Required on iRIS to ensure your study does not require IACUC and for compliance purposes.

Field research activities, that involve more than unobtrusive observation of animals in their natural habitats, require IACUC review.

Field studies that involve killing, capture, trapping, banding, darting, implantation of telemetry devices, behavioral modifications, sedation, or any study with the potential to cause harm or materially alter the behavior of the animal also require IACUC review.

To conduct such activities in the field, the investigator must provide the IACUC with the following information:

• Where the activity will be conducted;
• What procedures will be involved;
• A brief description of how those procedures are likely to affect the biology and ecology of the study animal(s). Investigators should describe the relationship of that species to the habitat and to other species found in the study area (including the nature and duration of potential effects); and
• Assurance that permit requirements of pertinent local, state, national, and international wildlife regulations will be obtained before work begins.

Teaching and research activities, including clinical trials, conducted with privately owned animals, must be reviewed by the IACUC.

PHS Policy covers live vertebrate animals used or intended for use in research, research training, and biological testing activities conducted or supported by the PHS.

PHS Policy and the Animal Welfare Act and Regulations (AWAR) do not distinguish between animals owned by the institution and privately-owned animals. Pets used in research must be covered under an IACUC-approved protocol.

The informed consent of the owner must be obtained prior to the conduct of the research.

Student participation in educational or research activities at non-TAMU-CC sites, where the educational activity is open to the general public, does NOT require a TAMU-CC IACUC protocol.

UNLESS those activities involve TAMU-CC-owned animals or TAMU-CC personnel influence (i.e., conduct or direct) animal use, then a protocol is required. 

If special arrangements were made for an educational activity to occur for TAMU-CC students, then IACUC approval would be required.

If students will serve as project personnel on specific research projects, IACUC approval from TAMU-CC or the collaborating institution(s) would be required.

Research or teaching conducted in collaboration with another institution or organization, including commercial entities, must be approved by an IACUC.

When a protocol has been reviewed and approved by another institution’s IACUC, the TAMU-CC IACUC may not require additional review and approval.

Examples of situations in which the TAMU-CC IACUC may accept another institution’s IACUC approval include:

• Sub-contracts using funds disbursed through TAMU-CC, where animal use is conducted at the collaborating institution
• Research on free-living animals conducted on TAMU-CC property by researchers from another institution

However, the PI must inform the TAMU-CC IACUC of the activity, and the TAMU-CC IACUC must have documentation from the collaborating institution before an acceptance decision can be made. Contact iacuc@tamucc.edu for more information.

Research conducted by TAMU-CC investigators in foreign countries falls under University purview and guidelines. Regardless of the setting, the standards for ethical and responsible use of animals in research will not be relaxed even if different customs prevail.

All animal-based research conducted in foreign countries is subject to TAMU-CC IACUC review. This includes the use of animals in foreign research institutions and fieldwork involving either domestic or wild animals.

Research projects must be approved by the local equivalent of an IACUC before they are initiated. If there is not an equivalent board or group, investigators must rely on local experts or community leaders to provide approval. The TAMU-CC IACUC requires documentation of this local approval, as well as documentation of any necessary permits, before granting final approval of the project.

With regard to activities supported by PHS funds, foreign institutions that serve as performance sites must also have assurances on file with OLAW.