BACKGROUND

Approved animal protocols are generally, but not always required. Certain uses of animals do not fall under the purview of the IACUC. This policy clarifies the situations when a protocol is and is not required.

IACUC Policy

Activities that require IACUC approval:

IACUC approval is required before conducting research and teaching activities involving animals if ANY of the following categories apply:

• Research, teaching and/or testing with vertebrate animals owned or leased by Wayne State University, regardless of funding source.
• Clinical trials involving non-Wayne State owned or leased animals.
• Research, teaching and/or testing using vertebrate animals in collaboration with another institution or organization, including commercial entities.
• Field research activities using free-living vertebrate wildlife if studies involve more than unobtrusive observation.
• Any activity involving higher level invertebrates in the Class Cephalopoda.

Activities that DO NOT require IACUC Approval:

• Research, teaching and/or testing using cadavers or tissues from dead animals UNLESS the cadavers or tissues are to be acquired from animals specifically purchased or euthanized for the activity.
• Activities ordered and/or performed by the Attending Veterinarian or designee that involve only standard veterinary or emergency procedures necessary to ensure animal welfare.
• Activities involving retrieval or use of animal-related data from records.
• Research, teaching and/or testing involving embryonated eggs PRIOR to hatching.
  • For zebrafish, this is considered approximately three days post-fertilization.
  • Use of embryonic avian eggs prior to hatching requires, at minimum, IACUC notification. See Policy on Use of Avian Embryos.
• Any activity involving lower-level invertebrate species (e.g. brine shrimp, fruit flies, nematodes, mosquitos, etc.).
• Non-research, non-teaching, or non-testing activities involving privately owned animals, in which the activity is not an official Wayne State activity.
• Removal of vertebrate vermin.

If you are not sure if your proposed animal use activity requires IACUC approval, please contact the IACUC Office at 313-577-1629 or iacuc@wayne.edu.

REFERENCE

Frequently Asked Questions. OLAW PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. Last revision: 28 Nov 2017. Accessed: 14 June 2018.

Approved: June 2018

Revision Approved: 3/2022