IACUC 

To comply with federal laws governing the humane care and treatment of laboratory animals, The Medical College of Georgia requires that all uses of invertebrate and vertebrate animals for research, education, or for any other purpose be approved by the Committee on Animal Use for Research and Education (IACUC). The IACUC consists of members of the faculty, administration, and community. Any use of animals at MCG without IACUC approval is a violation of MCG policy and federal law.  

Functions

• Semi-annual evaluation of the animal care program
• Semi-annual inspection of facilities
• Report to Institutional Official and OLAW
• Advise on the animal care program, facilities and personnel training
• Review animal use protocols
• Review animal welfare concerns
• Empowered to suspend animal activity in event of non-compliance

Compliance Enforcement
The USDA enforces MCG compliance with the Animal Welfare Act by conducting at least two unannounced inspection tours each year. IACUC records and the animal use facilities are examined. The Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) of the NIH enforces PHS Policy for the Humane Care and Treatment of Laboratory Animals. OLAW makes announced inspections of animal care and use procedures at MCG. Either agency can request suspension of federal support for MCG's research efforts if the institution is found to be in violation of regulations.

The IACUC has been given over-sight responsibility to enforce USDA regulations and the MCG Assurance of Compliance with PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals by federal regulatory law. The AUP provides the basis for compliance and IACUC approval provides the assurance. Thus, investigators must closely adhere to the AUP for every aspect of animal care and use. Inappropriate animal care or treatment (including deviations from those approved in the AUP) will be investigated by the IACUC. An AUP can be suspended by a majority vote by the IACUC, an action, which by law cannot be reversed by an institutional official. OLAW is notified of such an occurrence whether or not the project is federally funded. The IACUC will notify the investigator of the corrective actions needed to reinstate the AUP.

Committee Conflict of Interest Policy
No member may participate in the IACUC review or approval of a protocol in which the member has a conflicting interest or is personally involved in the project. A member with a conflict of interest may provide information requested by the IACUC, but may not participate in the discussion or vote.  The conflicted member will be excused during the discussion and vote and their attendance will not be counted towards a quorum. If a member of the IACUC is excused because of conflict of interest, and a quorum is no longer present, a decision on the protocol will be deferred until the next meeting. The Chair or IACUC committee member may request that a member be excused from committee deliberations on a specific protocol because of possible or perceived conflict of interest.