Use of Vertebrate Animals Must Be Reviewed and Approved
All research and teaching activities involving vertebrate animal subjects must be reviewed by the Georgia Tech Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and be approved prior to use of animals. This policy applies to any vertebrate animal work to be conducted by faculty, staff or students, regardless of whether the activity is funded and whether it is conducted on or off campus.
The IACUC meets monthly to review protocols for which full committee review has been called. Most studies are reviewed via the designated review process. The Office of Research Compliance will assist applicants in obtaining appropriate review, including possible deferral of review to an off-campus collaborating institution.
For both humanitarian and scientific reasons, Georgia Tech is committed to ensuring that vertebrate animals involved in research and teaching receive humane care and treatment. The animal facilities at Georgia Tech are registered with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) as required by the Federal Animal Welfare Act. This Act provides guidelines for the care and use of laboratory animals, their proper disposition, and record keeping. USDA veterinary inspectors make periodic, unannounced inspections of all facilities. Internally, Georgia Tech’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) regularly inspects and monitors the total animal care and use program at the Institute to ensure that all components are in compliance with regulations and guidelines. The IACUC is concerned with the humane care, use, and disposition of animals involved in teaching and research activities at Georgia Tech.