NUMBER:   ACAF 5.03

SECTION:  Academic Affairs    


SUBJECT:  Care and Use of Laboratory Animals                      


DATE:      February 1, 1995

Latest Revision:  January 13, 2005


Policy for:     Columbia and Regional Campuses

Procedure for:  Columbia and Regional Campuses

Authorized by:  Mark P. Becker

Issued by:      Animal Resources 

________________________________________________________________


I.   Policy

     A.   The University of South Carolina recognizes that the

use of laboratory animals for teaching and research is

fundamental to advances in biology and medicine.  The momentum of

discovery in the medical biological and behavioral

sciences has steadily increased, and the application of this new

knowledge has brought incalculable benefits to society. 

Laboratory animals have played an indispensable role in these

advances, and for the foreseeable future will continue to be

essential to the success of our research and training programs.

     B.   The University recognizes that laboratory animals are

sentient creatures.  Their use is a privilege accompanied by an

ethical and legal obligation for their humane care and handling. 

Individuals whose work requires them to use animals in

research or instruction must understand and be committed to

fulfilling the legal and moral responsibilities of such use.

     C.   The University endorses the Principles for the

Utilization and Care of Vertebrate Animals of the National

Institutes of Health; has implemented the recommendations of The

Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (National Academy 

Press, 1996); and is complying, and will continue to comply, with the 

Animal Welfare Act and other applicable laws and regulations concerning 

the care and use of laboratory animals. 

     D.   In accordance with the above, particular care is given

to the following.

    1.  All animals used at USC are lawfully acquired.

    2.  All animals at USC will be treated humanely, properly

fed and cared for, and their surroundings kept in a sanitary

condition.

    3.  No vertebrate animals shall be used at USC for research

or instruction without prior review and approval by procedures

established by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee

(IACUC).  Information on IACUC procedures and policy may be

obtained from Animal Resource Facilities (ARF).  Protocol forms

are available from ARF(http://uscm.med.sc.edu/ARF/index.htm). 

    4. Investigators preparing proposals will consider alternative 

methods which Replace, Refine, and/ or Reduce the use of animals. 

When animals are necessary, the animals selected for a procedure should 

be of an appropriate species and the minimum number required to obtain 

valid results.

    5. Anesthetics and analgesics appropriate to the experimental design 

will be used to eliminate unnecessary pain or distress during scientific 

procedures.  The post operative care of animals shall be such as to minimize 

discomfort and pain.

    6.  Students using animals for their education in the

advancement of science shall work under the direct supervision of

an experienced teacher or investigator.

    7.  At the conclusion of the observations, if euthanasia is

necessary, only methods approved by the Institutional Animal Care

and Use Committee (IACUC) shall be used.

    8.  The IACUC, composed of experienced scientists, professional staff 

including a veterinarian trained in lab animal medicine, and at least one 

individual not affiliated with the University and representing community 

concerns, meets on a regular basis and reviews the policy pertaining to 

laboratory animal use at the University of South Carolina.

II. Procedure

  Animal Resource Facilities, under the direction of a full-time

veterinarian, is responsible for the administration and oversight

of animal care at USC.  It is the responsibility of the principal

investigator to submit the required information to the IACUC. 

Requests for copies of the University's Assurance of Compliance

with the United States Public Health Service Policy on Humane

Care and Use of Laboratory Animals and any assistance should be

directed to Animal Resource Facilities.

This page copyright © 1995-2005, The Board of Trustees of the University of South Carolina.
URL http://www.sc.edu/policies/acaf503.html