Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)

About

The Animal Welfare Act (AWA) was first passed in 1966 to address the concerns of the American public regarding the acquisition and use of animals in research. To ensure adherence to the Act, the Congress established a self-oversight mechanism for all research institutions; this oversight is through the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). The 1985 Amendments to the AWA and concurrent changes in the Public Health Service Policy of Use of Animals by Awardee Institutions (PHS Policy) increased the oversight responsibilities of the IACUC. Today, every institution conducting animal-based research, teaching or testing, must establish an IACUC to oversee the institution’s animal care and use program. The IACUC’s membership and responsibilities are mandated and defined by federal law and carried out through local policy.

Hawai‘i Pacific University (HPU) recognizes that scientific and medical knowledge developed through animal research has saved countless lives, improved human and animal health, and alleviated pain and suffering. The University supports the judicious use of animals in research, education and testing in the interests of human and animal welfare. HPU is aware of its legal and ethical responsibilities to ensure that animals are not used needlessly and are spared all unnecessary pain and distress. To this end, HPU requires review by the IACUC of all protocols involving any live vertebrate animal used or intended for use in research, research training, experimentation, teaching, biological testing, or related purposes.

Contact Information

For questions and further information, email iacuc@hpu.edu.