1
CORNELL UNIVERSITY
POLICY LIBRARY
POLICY 1.4
Volume: 1, Academic Research
Chapter: 4, Care and Use of Live
Vertebrate Animals in Research and
Teaching
Responsible Executive: Senior Vice
Provost for Research and Institutional
Official (Ithaca Campus Units)
Responsible Offices: Cornell Center for
Animal Resources and
Education/Institutional Animal Care and
Use Committee/Office of Research
Integrity and Assurance (Ithaca Campus
Units)
Originally Issued: May 8, 2002
Last Updated: October 24, 2016
Care and Use of Live
Vertebrate Animals in
Research and Teaching
POLICY STATEMENT
Cornell University regards the use of animals in research, teaching, and testing to
be an integral component of continued progress in science, education, and
agriculture. The university expects all of its animal facilities and programs to
maintain the highest standards of animal care and use, and to be operated in
accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, policies, and
guidelines.
REASON FOR POLICY
The university is committed to the highest ethical standards of animal care and use.
This policy outlines the principles that govern the humane conduct of activities
involving live vertebrate animals, procedures that ensure compliance with external
regulations and the responsible use of Cornell resources, and establishes roles and
responsibilities of those individuals who are involved in the care and use of
animals in research, testing and teaching.
ENTITIES AFFECTED BY THIS POLICY
- All units of the university. Weill Cornell Medical Center and Graduate School
of Medical Sciences will administer this policy under Weill Cornell procedures.
WHO SHOULD READ THIS POLICY
- All faculty, postdoctoral fellows, graduate and undergraduate students,
research and teaching personnel, and staff members involved in the care and
use of live vertebrate animals.
- Heads of units where live vertebrate animals are housed or used in research,
teaching, or testing.
- Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee members
Cornell Policy Library
Volume: 1, Academic
Research
Responsible Executive: Senior
Vice Provost for Research and
Institutional Official (Ithaca
Campus Units)
Responsible Offices : Cornell
Center for Animal Resources
and Education/Institutional
Animal Care and Use
Committee/Office of Research
Integrity and Assurance (Ithaca
Campus Units)
Originally Issued: May 8, 2002
Last Updated: October 24,
2016
POLICY 1.4
Care and Use of Live Vertebrate Animals in Research and Teaching
2
CONTENTS
Policy Statement ________________________________________________________ 1
Reason for Policy _______________________________________________________ 1
Entities Affected by This Policy __________________________________________ 1
Who Should Read This Policy ____________________________________________ 1
Web Address for This Policy _____________________________________________ 1
Contents _______________________________________________________________ 2
Related Resources ______________________________________________________ 3
Contacts _______________________________________________________________ 4
Definitions ____________________________________________________________ 5
Responsibilities, Ithaca Campus Units ____________________________________ 7
Principles ______________________________________________________________ 12
Overview _______________________________ 12
Procedures, Ithaca Campus Units _________________________________________ 13
Components of Cornell's Animal Care and Use Program 13
Institutional Official (IO) __________________ 13
Attending Veterinarian ___________________ 13
Cornell University Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) 14
Occupational Health and Safety for Animal Users 15
Veterinary Care Program __________________ 15
Cornell Animal Facilities __________________ 16
Use of Animals in Instruction ______________ 20
Submission, Maintenance, Review, and Approval of Proposed Animal Activities
________________________________________ 21
Recordkeeping and Reporting ________________ 22
Procedure for Reporting Violations of this Policy 23
Appendix A: Lines of Responsibility, Ithaca Campus Units __________________ 24
Index __________________________________________________________________ 25
Cornell Policy Library
Volume: 1, Academic
Research
Responsible Executive: Senior
Vice Provost for Research and
Institutional Official (Ithaca
Campus Units)
Responsible Offices : Cornell
Center for Animal Resources
and Education/Institutional
Animal Care and Use
Committee/Office of Research
Integrity and Assurance (Ithaca
Campus Units)
Originally Issued: May 8, 2002
Last Updated: October 24,
2016
POLICY 1.4
Care and Use of Live Vertebrate Animals in Research and Teaching
3
RELATED RESOURCES
University Policies and Documents Applicable to All Units of the University
University Policy 1.7, Financial Conflicts of Interest in Research
University Policy 4.6, Standards of Ethical Conduct
University Policies and Documents Applicable to Only Ithaca Campus Units of the University
Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) Policies
AUHSP Policies and Procedures
External Regulations. Guidance and Documentation
Animal Care Policy Manual (USDA, 2016)
Animal Welfare Act (1966)
Animal Welfare Act Regulations (9 CFR, Chapter 1, Subchapter A) (2009)
AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals: 2013 Edition
Guide for the Care and Use of Agricultural Animals in Research and Teaching (2010)
Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (National Research Council, 2011)
Health Research Extension Act of 1985, Public Law 99-158
IACUC Guidebook, Second Edition, (Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare, National Institutes of Health,
2002)
New York State Public Health Law (Article 5, Title 1, Section 504)
Occupational Health and Safety in the Care and Use of Research Animals (NRC, 1997)
Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (2002)
United States Fish and Wildlife Service Permits for Field Studies
United States Government Principles for the Utilization and Care of Vertebrate Animals Used in Testing,
Research, and Training (2002)
Cornell Policy Library
Volume: 1, Academic
Research
Responsible Executive: Senior
Vice Provost for Research and
Institutional Official (Ithaca
Campus Units)
Responsible Offices : Cornell
Center for Animal Resources
and Education/Institutional
Animal Care and Use
Committee/Office of Research
Integrity and Assurance (Ithaca
Campus Units)
Originally Issued: May 8, 2002
Last Updated: October 24,
2016
POLICY 1.4
Care and Use of Live Vertebrate Animals in Research and Teaching
4
CONTACTS
Direct any general questions about this policy to your college or unit’s
administrative office. If you have questions about specific issues, call the following
offices:
Contacts, Ithaca Campus Units
Subject
Contact
Telephone
Email/Web Address
Animal Welfare Assurance
Office of Research Integrity and
Assurance
(607) 255-5398
Fax (607) 255-0758
www.oria.cornell.edu
Chemical and Laboratory
Safety, Radiation Safety,
Biological Safety, Waste
Disposal
Environmental Health and Safety
(607) 255-8200
[email protected]
www.ehs.cornell.edu
Occupational Health and
Safety
Occupational Medicine, Gannett
Health Services
(607) 255-5155
www.gannett.cornell.edu/services/occu
pational/
Regulatory Compliance
Office of Research Integrity and
Assurance
(607) 255-5398
Fax (607) 255-0758
www.oria.cornell.edu
Regulatory Oversight,
Research Protocols,
Facilities Inspections,
Animal Welfare Concerns,
Animal Users Health and
Safety Program
Institutional Animal Care and Use
Committee
(607) 255-5398
[email protected]
www.iacuc.cornell.edu
Veterinary Care, Program
Administration
Cornell Center for Animal Resources
and Education
(607) 253-4378
[email protected]u
www.research.cornell.edu/care
Violations of this Policy
Office of Research Integrity and
Assurance
(607) 255-5398
Fax (607) 255-0758
[email protected]
Cornell University Hotline
(866) 293-3077 (toll-free)
hotline.cornell.edu
Contacts Weill Cornell Campus Units
Subject
Contact
Telephone
Email/Web Address
All Questions
Research Animal Protections
Program
[email protected]ll.edu
Cornell Policy Library
Volume: 1, Academic
Research
Responsible Executive: Senior
Vice Provost for Research and
Institutional Official (Ithaca
Campus Units)
Responsible Offices : Cornell
Center for Animal Resources
and Education/Institutional
Animal Care and Use
Committee/Office of Research
Integrity and Assurance (Ithaca
Campus Units)
Originally Issued: May 8, 2002
Last Updated: October 24,
2016
POLICY 1.4
Care and Use of Live Vertebrate Animals in Research and Teaching
5
DEFINITIONS
These definitions apply to these terms as they are used in this policy.
“Ag Guide”
The Federation of Animal Science Societies’ 2010 Guide for the Care
and Use of Agricultural Animals in Research and Teaching (and any
subsequent editions).
Animal
Any living, non-human, vertebrate animal (mammal, bird, reptile,
amphibian, or fish), unless otherwise specified.
Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service (APHIS)
Part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture responsible for
administering the Animal Welfare Act (see definition below). For more
information, see www.aphis.usda.gov.
Animal Care (AC)
A program of APHIS.
Animal Facility
A Cornell University owned and operated facility where vertebrate
animals are housed or held for a 12-hour period or more.
Animal Users Health and Safety
Program (AUHSP)
A Cornell University program that assesses the human-health risks
associated with direct and indirect contact with animals used in
research and teaching. The objective of the AUHSP is to ensure that
health risks for every individual are managed to an acceptable level.
Animal Welfare Act and
Regulations (AWAR)
Administered at Cornell by APHIS, a federal law that requires that
minimum standards of care and treatment be provided for certain
animals bred for commercial sale, used in research, transported
commercially, or exhibited to the public.
Animal Welfare Assurance
(“Assurance”)
A key document in defining the relationship between the institution and
the Public Health Service (PHS); signed by the institutional official, the
assurance sets forth the responsibilities and procedures of the
institution regarding the care and use of animals, and requires the
institutional official to file an annual report with the PHS. An
“Assurance” can remain in place up to four years and is renewable.
Association for Assessment
and Accreditation of
Laboratory Animal Care
International (AAALAC)
A private, nonprofit organization that promotes the humane treatment
of animals in science through voluntary accreditation and assessment
programs. For more information, see www.aaalac.org.
Attending Veterinarian (AV)
A veterinarian with training or experience in the care and management
of the species attended, and who has direct or delegated authority for
activities involving animals at Cornell University.
Center for Animal Resources
and Education (CARE)
A service for Cornell’s Ithaca campus units responsible for
administering the Animal Care and Use in compliance with state and
federal regulations and university policy. For more information, see
www.research.cornell.edu/care.
Faculty Member
A member of the university faculty as defined by the Bylaws of Cornell
University. For more information, see trustees.cornell.edu.
Institutional Animal Care and
Use Committee (IACUC)
A committee at Cornell responsible for overseeing the Animal Care
and Use program and monitoring its compliance with applicable
federal and state regulations and appropriate guidelines. For more
information, see www.iacuc.cornell.edu (Ithaca campus units).
Institutional Official (IO)
The individual at Cornell who is authorized to commit legally on behalf
of the university that the requirements of the Animal Welfare Act and
Cornell Policy Library
Volume: 1, Academic
Research
Responsible Executives:
Senior Vice Provost for
Research and Institutional
Official (Ithaca)
Responsible Offices : Cornell
Center for Animal Resources
and Education/Institutional
Animal Care and Use
Committee/Office of Research
Integrity and Assurance (Ithaca
Campus Units)
Originally Issued: May 8, 2002
Last Updated: October 24,
2016
POLICY 1.4
Care and Use of Live Vertebrate Animals in Research and Teaching
DEFINITIONS, CONTINUED
6
the Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of
Laboratory Animals are met.
Investigator
The individual who uses, or supervises the use of, live vertebrate
animals on a project.
Office of Laboratory Animal
Welfare (OLAW)
The division of the NIH responsible for developing, monitoring, and
exercising compliance with the PHS Policy (see definition below). For
more information, see grants1.nih.gov/grants/olaw/olaw.htm.
Office of Research Integrity and
Assurance (ORIA)
The Cornell department responsible for managing, administering,
monitoring, and assessing Cornell’s research compliance programs
for the Ithaca-based campuses
Principal Investigator (PI)
In the context of this policy, the individual with primary responsibility
for a project, including designing and implementing research,
teaching, or testing activities involving live, vertebrate animals. For
more information, see the Principal Investigator Eligibility policy
applicable for the Ithaca campus at
www.research.cornell.edu/vpr/policies/pi-policy.html.
Protocol
A description of the proposed procedures involving live vertebrate
animals. For more information about protocols for the Ithaca-based
campuses, see https://www.iacuc.cornell.edu/requirements/about-the-
process.htm
Public Health Service (PHS)
A division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that
includes the NIH, Food and Drug Administration, and Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, among others. For more information,
see http://usphs.gov/aboutus/agencies/hhs.aspx
PHS Policy
The PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals
(2002) implements the Health Research Extension Act of 1985. For
more information, see
grants1.nih.gov/grants/olaw/references/phspol.htm.
“The Guide”
The National Research Council’s Guide for the Care and Use of
Laboratory Animals.
USDA
United States Department of Agriculture
Cornell Policy Library
Volume: 1, Academic
Research
Responsible Executive: Senior
Vice Provost for Research and
Institutional Official (Ithaca
Campus Units)
Responsible Offices : Cornell
Center for Animal Resources
and Education/Institutional
Animal Care and Use
Committee/Office of Research
Integrity and Assurance (Ithaca
Campus Units)
Originally Issued: May 8, 2002
Last Updated: October 24,
2016
POLICY 1.4
Care and Use of Live Vertebrate Animals in Research and Teaching
7
RESPONSIBILITIES, ITHACA CAMPUS UNITS
Animal Facility Managers
Apply standards as established by the director of Center for Animal
Resources and Education (CARE) and Cornell’s accreditation
consistently to the operation of the animal facility and to care of the
animals.
Ensure that users requesting access to the facility are appropriately
trained in the policies and procedures related to the facility.
Ensure that all animal handlers working in the facility have completed
and are current with the Animal Users Health and Safety Program
requirements before starting work.
Provide information to visitors on potential risks associated with
entrance to each animal facility.
Accompany visitors in animal facilities.
Maintain records of and report on a monthly and annual basis to the
Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) office the
number of animals used on animal protocols; inform principal
investigators (PIs) of the status of animals used vs. approved by the
IACUC; work with the PIs to ensure that animal numbers are not
exceeded.
Center for Animal Resources
and Education (CARE)
Veterinarians
Maintain a program of adequate veterinary care consisting of
monitoring and assessment of animal well-being and effective
management of the following:
Animal procurement and transportation
Preventive medicine (including quarantine, animal
biosecurity, and surveillance)
Clinical disease, disability, or related health issues, and
assessment of animal well-being
Protocol associated disease, disability, and other sequelae
Pain and distress
Euthanasia
Advise on the design and performance of experiments using animals
as related to model selection, collection, and analysis of samples and
data from animals, and methods and techniques proposed or in use.
Provide guidance and give direction to investigators and all personnel
involved in the care and use of animals to ensure appropriate
husbandry, handling, medical treatment, immobilization, sedation,
analgesia, anesthesia, and euthanasia, provided such intervention is
not precluded in an approved IACUC protocol.
Provide guidance and oversight to surgery programs including use of
appropriate anesthetics and analgesics, and pre- and post-operative
care, involving animals.
Assist in the review of all animal use protocols.
Participate in facility inspections.
Assist in the review of institutional programs involving animals in
research, testing, and teaching.
Chair, Institutional Animal
Care and Use Committee
(IACUC)
Oversee the IACUC’s review and approval, modification, or
disapproval of animal use protocols, annual review of protocols, and
amendments to protocols.
Cornell Policy Library
Volume: 1, Academic
Research
Responsible Executive: Senior
Vice Provost for Research and
Institutional Official (Ithaca)
Responsible Offices : Cornell
Center for Animal Resources
and Education/Institutional
Animal Care and Use
Committee/Office of Research
Integrity and Assurance (Ithaca
Campus Units)
Originally Issued: May 8, 2002
Last Updated: October 24,
2016
POLICY 1.4
Care and Use of Live Vertebrate Animals in Research and Teaching
RESPONSIBILITIES, ITHACA CAMPUS UNITS, CONTINUED
8
Supervise every six months a review of the institution's program for
animal care, use, and inspection of all animal facilities.
Prepare and sign off on the semiannual report to the institutional
official (IO).
Make recommendations to the IO pertaining to IACUC membership.
Through the IO, submit an annual report to National Institutes of
Health (NIH)/Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW)/U.S.
Department of Agriculture (USDA)/New York State Department of
Health.
Investigate and prepare a report to OLAW, submitted through the IO,
of all reportable incidents.
Evaluate reports of potential violations to existing animal care and use
regulations or this policy, and investigate and report findings to the full
membership of the IACUC.
In consultation with the IACUC, review the reasons for any activity
that leads to suspension of a protocol, take appropriate corrective
action, and report that action to regulatory and accreditation agencies,
as needed.
College Dean/Unit Head
Oversee the physical facilities housing its animals in compliance with
all federal and state laws.
Work closely with the director of CARE to monitor the operation of the
animal facility and care of the animals for consistency with the
standards established by the director of CARE and Cornell’s
accreditation.
Sustain a program of regular maintenance in all animal facilities in
accordance with this policy.
Seek the input of the director of CARE during the managers’ annual
performance review.
Seek input from the director of CARE at the time of the
college/department annual budget planning with respect to priorities
for ongoing maintenance or capital expenditures for animal facilities.
Confer with Director of CARE to ensure that appropriate animal
facilities are available for potential new hires and research or teaching
programs, prior to making employment offers.
Provide funds to renovate and/or equip animal facilities as necessary
for new hires/programs.
Director of CARE and
Attending Veterinarian
Ensure that the university's Animal Care and Use program meets, at a
minimum, the standards of care required by the Public Health Service
Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (2002) (“PHS
Policy”) and Animal Welfare Act and Regulations (AWAR).
Oversee procedures to assure accommodation of animal housing in
currently approved animal facilities unless extenuating circumstances
require new housing accommodations. Advise Senior Vice Provost
for Research on requests for new housing facilities.
Participate in the planning and design of any construction or
renovation involving animal facilities.
Review and approve all final plans for animal housing and procedure
spaces.
Participate in the oversight of all renovations to and construction of
animal housing and procedure spaces.
Oversee all animal facilities.
Cornell Policy Library
Volume: 1, Academic
Research
Responsible Executive: Senior
Vice Provost for Research and
Institutional Official (Ithaca)
Responsible Offices : Cornell
Center for Animal Resources
and Education/Institutional
Animal Care and Use
Committee/Office of Research
Integrity and Assurance (Ithaca
Campus Units)
Originally Issued: May 8, 2002
Last Updated: October 24,
2016
POLICY 1.4
Care and Use of Live Vertebrate Animals in Research and Teaching
RESPONSIBILITIES, ITHACA CAMPUS UNITS, CONTINUED
9
Keep supervisors and department chairs and/or program directors
informed of problems or concerns relating to the management of
animal facilities in their respective areas of responsibility.
Participate in selecting and hiring staff for any nonacademic position
whose responsibilities will include managing an animal facility.
Serve as an ex-officio voting member of the IACUC.
Responsible for maintaining accreditation for Cornell’s animal
program through the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of
Laboratory Animal Care International.
Note: The director of CARE is the attending veterinarian and a
CARE veterinarian with associated responsibilities as outlined in this
policy.
Director, Office of Research
Integrity and Assurance
(ORIA)
Provide regulatory oversight for ensuring that Cornell’s Animal Care
and Use program is compliant with applicable regulatory
requirements.
Coordinate activities with other compliance committees where they
intersect with animal care and use program.
Lead for-cause audits for incidents of alleged noncompliance with this
policy and IACUC policies and report outcomes to the IACUC and the
IO.
Ensure prompt institutional response to detected problem and
necessary and timely reporting to regulatory agencies.
Institutional Animal Care and
Use Committee (IACUC)
Review at least once every six months the institution's program for
animal care and use, using the AWAR, The Guide, and the Ag Guide
(see Definitions) as a basis for evaluation.
Inspect at least once every six months all of the institution's animal
facilities and animal procedure spaces, using the AWAR and The
Guide as a basis for evaluation. Submit to the IO reports of the above
evaluations.
Review and investigate concerns involving the care and use of
animals at the university resulting from complaints or from reports of
noncompliance received from university personnel and the public.
Make recommendations to the IO regarding any aspect of the
institution's animal program, facilities, or personnel training.
For all activities involving the use of animals in research, testing, and
teaching, monitor whether scientific merit has been demonstrated in
accordance with the requirements of the U.S. government’s Principles
for the Utilization and Care of Vertebrate Animals Used in Testing,
Research, and Training, Principle II, which states, "Procedures
involving animals should be designed and performed with due
consideration of their relevance to human or animal health, the
advancement of knowledge, or the good of society."
Review and approve, require modifications in (to secure approval), or
withhold approval of those components of proposed activities related
to the care and use of animals.
Review and approve, require modifications in (to secure approval), or
withhold approval of proposed significant changes regarding the care
and use of animals in ongoing activities.
Conduct annual reviews of protocols.
Suspend an activity involving animals if it does not comply with the
AWAR, The Guide, PHS Policy, or Cornell University's Animal
Welfare Assurance (“Assurance”) approved by the NIH/OLAW.
Cornell Policy Library
Volume: 1, Academic
Research
Responsible Executive: Senior
Vice Provost for Research and
Institutional Official (Ithaca)
Responsible Offices : Cornell
Center for Animal Resources
and Education/Institutional
Animal Care and Use
Committee/Office of Research
Integrity and Assurance (Ithaca
Campus Units)
Originally Issued: May 8, 2002
Last Updated: October 24,
2016
POLICY 1.4
Care and Use of Live Vertebrate Animals in Research and Teaching
RESPONSIBILITIES, ITHACA CAMPUS UNITS, CONTINUED
10
Conduct, or establish requirements for conducting, orientation of
investigators, students, postdoctoral fellows, technicians, and animal
care workers on the principles surrounding the use of animals, and
the requirement to use animals in a humane and sensitive manner.
Through the IO, report to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service (APHIS)/Animal Care (AC) and any federal funding agency in
writing within 15 days, whenever the institution fails to adhere to a
reasonable plan and schedule for correcting a significant deficiency in
the institution's program or facilities.
Evaluate findings of investigations of potential violations to existing
animal care and use regulations or this policy.
Maintain records in accordance with this policy.
Approve and promulgate Animal Care and Use Procedures (ACUP)
and IACUC policies.
Institutional Animal Care and
Use Committee (IACUC) Staff
Provide administrative support for IACUC-related activities to the
IACUC and the IO.
Communicate IACUC requirements to the PI.
Ensure timely and accurate reporting to external regulatory agencies.
Serve as information resource for investigators and IACUC members
regarding regulatory issues, IACUC requirements, and the status of
applications to the IACUC.
Coordinate semiannual IACUC facility inspections.
Perform other professional duties, including training of new IACUC
members, grant proposal reviews, drafting IACUC policies and
procedures, and executing the Post Approval Quality Assurance
program for protocols involving animal use.
Maintain IACUC records in accordance with regulatory requirements.
Institutional Official (IO)
Legally commit on behalf of the university that the university will meet
the requirements of the AWAR.
Sign Cornell University's Assurance that commits the university to
meet the requirements of the PHS Policy.
Make recommendations to the president regarding appointment of
IACUC members.
Ensure that the program goals of quality animal care and use are in
alignment with the university’s missions.
Monitor university compliance with all applicable animal welfare laws,
regulations, and policies.
Ensure that the number and type of animal facilities are maintained at
the minimum necessary to assure animal welfare, provide research
support resources necessary to advance research and teaching, allow
for support staff efficiencies, minimize costs to researchers and
campus, and ensure accreditation.
Sign forms, reports, and letters on behalf of the university, and
interact with the IACUC in overseeing Cornell's Animal Care and Use
program.
On receipt of inspection reports, semiannual reports, incident reports,
and recommendations from the IACUC, determine, in consultation
with the IACUC, whether deficiencies are significant or minor and
whether appropriate corrective actions have been identified and
implemented.
Cornell Policy Library
Volume: 1, Academic
Research
Responsible Executive: Senior
Vice Provost for Research and
Institutional Official (Ithaca)
Responsible Offices : Cornell
Center for Animal Resources
and Education/Institutional
Animal Care and Use
Committee/Office of Research
Integrity and Assurance (Ithaca
Campus Units)
Originally Issued: May 8, 2002
Last Updated: October 24,
2016
POLICY 1.4
Care and Use of Live Vertebrate Animals in Research and Teaching
RESPONSIBILITIES, ITHACA CAMPUS UNITS, CONTINUED
11
Review and submit animal care and use related registrations, annual
reports, and any other required reports to the external regulatory
agencies.
Consult with the IACUC regarding suspensions and corrective
actions; report to regulatory and funding agencies.
Monitor whether all personnel involved in animal care, treatment, and
use are qualified to perform their duties and that both training and
instruction in specific areas are provided.
Ensure that the university has an attending veterinarian who provides
adequate veterinary care to Cornell’s animals.
Investigator (Principal
Investigator, Co-Investigator,
or Investigator)
Abide by the policies of the IACUC.
Submit a request to the IACUC, in the form of a completed eSirius
application, for approval of any animal work that is conducted under
their supervision. Where appropriate, provide evidence that
alternatives to such procedures have been considered, including
potential use of non-animal or in vitro systems, refinement of research
techniques designed to decrease or eliminate pain and distress, and
reduction in the number of animals required to obtain scientifically
valid data through better experimental design. Ensure that the
information provided in the application is complete, accurate, and in
sufficient detail so as to enable the IACUC to make a determination of
the humane care and use of the animals. Start animal work only after
notice of IACUC approval is received in writing from the IACUC office.
Request approval from the IACUC for changes to approved studies
through a protocol amendment, and implement those changes only
after receipt of written approval from the IACUC.
Report annually the status of each protocol and assure that ongoing
activities are conducted in accordance with the approved protocol.
Resubmit each protocol for de novo IACUC review at least once every
three years if animal work is continuing. Ensure that IACUC approval
for the renewal is granted before the initial approval has expired, or
suspend animal work until approval of the renewal has been obtained
in writing by the IACUC.
Maintain compliance with the approved protocol in the conduct of the
animal work.
Follow all applicable facility policies and procedures in the conduct of
the animal work in the facilities.
Promptly notify the IACUC and CARE of any unexpected results that
affect the welfare of the animals under their animal program. Report
any unanticipated pain or distress, morbidity, or mortality to the CARE
veterinarian and the IACUC.
Ensure that all experiments involving live animals are performed
under their supervision or that of another qualified scientist as
approved by the IACUC. Ensure that personnel involved in animal use
in the animal project are approved to do so by the IACUC, and trained
in proper procedures in animal handling, administration of anesthetics
and analgesics, aseptic technique, post-operative monitoring, and
euthanasia.
Maintain clinical health and protocol procedural records in accordance
with this policy.
Senior Vice Provost for
Research
Serve as Institutional Official for Ithaca campus units.
Cornell Policy Library
Volume: 1, Academic
Research
Responsible Executive: Senior
Vice Provost for Research and
Institutional Official (Ithaca
Campus Units)
Responsible Offices : Cornell
Center for Animal Resources
and Education/Institutional
Animal Care and Use
Committee/Office of Research
Integrity and Assurance (Ithaca
Campus Units)
Originally Issued: May 8, 2002
Last Updated: October 24,
2016
POLICY 1.4
Care and Use of Live Vertebrate Animals in Research and Teaching
12
PRINCIPLES
Overview
Cornell University regards the use of animals in research, teaching, and testing to be
an integral component of continued progress in science, education, and agriculture.
The use of animals in research, teaching, and testing has been essential for advances
in the life sciences, medicine, and agriculture and has resulted in enormous benefits
for human and animal health. The university is committed to the highest ethical
standards of animal care. Each Cornell investigator or instructor wishing to use
animals on or off campus must conduct all animal work in accordance with all laws,
regulations, and policies governing the care and use of animals.
Note: The clinical care of client-owned animals at the Cornell University Hospital
for Animals, located on the Ithaca campus, is not covered by this policy.
Animal facilities and programs will be operated in accord with the U.S. Department
of Agriculture Animal Welfare Act (1966), Regulation (C.F.R., 2009) and policies, the
Health Research Extension Act (1985), the Public Health Service Policy on Humane
Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (PHS, 2002), the Guide for the Care and Use of
Laboratory Animals (NRC, 2011), the Guide for the Care and Use of Agricultural
Animals in Research and Teaching (2010), the New York State Health Law (Article 5,
Section 504), and other applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, policies,
and guidelines.
Cornell University is committed to accreditation of its Animal Care and Use program
by the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care
International. A fundamental premise of accreditation is the maintenance of a
consistently high standard of care for all animals used in research, teaching, and
testing at Cornell.
For Ithaca campus units, the Cornell Center for Animal Resources and Education has
authority over all physical facilities holding or housing vertebrate animals, and is
expected to work with each college or unit having such facilities to see that the
facilities are in compliance with all federal and state laws, and to sustain a program of
regular maintenance in all animal facilities in accordance with this policy.
Cornell Policy Library
Volume: 1, Academic
Research
Responsible Executive: Senior
Vice Provost for Research and
Institutional Official (Ithaca
Campus Units)
Responsible Offices : Cornell
Center for Animal Resources
and Education/Institutional
Animal Care and Use
Committee/Office of Research
Integrity and Assurance (Ithaca
Campus Units)
Originally Issued: May 8, 2002
Last Updated: October 24,
2016
POLICY 1.4
Care and Use of Live Vertebrate Animals in Research and Teaching
13
PROCEDURES, ITHACA CAMPUS UNITS
Components of
Cornell's Animal
Care and Use
Program
The following segments of this document outline generally the components of Cornell
University's Animal Care and Use program, which is designed to comply with federal
regulations. For a graphical representation of lines of responsibility, see Appendix A.
Additionally, more detailed responsibilities and procedures are contained in the
responsibilities section of this policy.
Institutional Official
(IO)
The senior vice provost for research serves as the Institutional Official (IO) for Ithaca
campus units.. Cornell University’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee
(IACUC) and the Attending Veterinarian report to the IO, who has the administrative
and operational authority to commit institutional resources to ensure compliance with
the regulations that govern Cornell’s Animal Care and Use program (for more detail,
see Responsibilities).
Attending
Veterinarian
Adequate veterinary medical care is an essential component of the university’s animal
care and use program, and is required by the Public Health Service (PHS) Policy on
Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (2002) (“PHS Policy”) and Animal Welfare
Regulations. The university has an attending veterinarian (AV), who must be
qualified by virtue of appropriate postgraduate training and/or experience in
laboratory animal science and medicine. The AV is a voting member of the IACUC.
The AV has the authority to execute the duties inherent in assuring the adequacy of
veterinary care and overseeing other aspects of animal care and use. The AV’s clinical
veterinary care responsibility is delegated to clinical veterinarians and veterinary
technologists who are part of the Center for Animal Resources and Education (CARE)
veterinary staff. If approved by the AV, the primary clinical care of Cornell-owned
animals can be provided by a non-CARE veterinarian/species expert under a current
Letter of Agreement (LOA) between the non-CARE veterinarian(s)/species expert(s)
and the AV, detailing mechanisms of direct communication and appropriate record
keeping. Where there are concerns about animal welfare or imminent danger to
animals or human health, if the non-CARE veterinarian is not available, or if
agreement cannot be reached, the AV/CARE veterinarian has authority to act to
protect the health and well-being of institutional animals and will make the final
decision regarding the disposition of the animal (for more detail, see Responsibilities).
Cornell Policy Library
Volume: 1, Academic
Research
Responsible Executive: Senior
Vice Provost for Research and
Institutional Official (Ithaca
Campus Units)
Responsible Offices : Cornell
Center for Animal Resources
and Education/Institutional
Animal Care and Use
Committee/Office of Research
Integrity and Assurance (Ithaca
Campus Units)
Originally Issued: May 8, 2002
Last Updated: October 24,
2016
POLICY 1.4
Care and Use of Live Vertebrate Animals in Research and Teaching
PROCEDURES, ITHACA CAMPUS UNITS, CONTINUED
14
Cornell University
Institutional Animal
Care and Use
Committee (IACUC)
The IACUC is appointed by the president of the university, upon the
recommendation of the senior vice provost for research and that of the dean of the
faculty and is qualified through the experience and expertise of its members to
oversee the university’s animal program, facilities, and procedures in accordance with
the applicable regulations (for more detail, see Responsibilities).
Federal regulations require that the membership of the IACUC include, at a
minimum, a veterinarian, a scientist experienced in research involving animals, a
member whose principal expertise is in a nonscientific field of study, and an
individual not affiliated with Cornell.
Because Cornell is a large institution, membership beyond the minimum
required by regulation is drawn from faculty and staff of the colleges and
divisions of the university to provide ample representation of investigators, to
reflect the diversity of the institution's research portfolio, and to
accommodate the workload associated with reviewing a large number of
protocols and conducting facility inspections. Ordinarily, the membership of
IACUC at Cornell includes at least the following members:
One faculty member, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
One faculty member, College of Veterinary Medicine
One faculty member, College of Human Ecology
One faculty member, College of Arts and Sciences
One non-scientist
One research or animal care technician, manager or supervisor
At least one member not affiliated with the university*
The Attending Veterinarian
The biosafety officer, Environmental Health and Safety, whose role includes
bringing human health and safety issues to the attention of the committee
*The nonaffiliated members represent general community interests in the proper care
and use of animals, are not laboratory animal users affiliated with the university, or
immediate family members of a person who is affiliated with the university.
Membership terms are for three years (except for the AV and biosafety officer, who
are ex officio with voting privileges).
Alternates are also appointed as necessary, will attend meetings when a regular
member is unable to attend, and will have all rights of the regular member.
Cornell Policy Library
Volume: 1, Academic
Research
Responsible Executive: Senior
Vice Provost for Research and
Institutional Official (Ithaca
Campus Units)
Responsible Offices : Cornell
Center for Animal Resources
and Education/Institutional
Animal Care and Use
Committee/Office of Research
Integrity and Assurance (Ithaca
Campus Units)
Originally Issued: May 8, 2002
Last Updated: October 24,
2016
POLICY 1.4
Care and Use of Live Vertebrate Animals in Research and Teaching
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The president appoints the chair from the faculty members who have served at least
one year on the IACUC, upon the recommendation of the senior vice provost for
research.
Occupational Health
and Safety for
Animal Users
Cornell University has an Animal Users Health and Safety Program (AUHSP). The
objective of the AUHSP is to ensure that health risks for every individual associated
with direct and indirect contact with animals used in research, testing and teaching at
Cornell are managed to an acceptable level. All individuals involved in the care and
use of Cornell animals must complete the AUHSP requirements specific to them as a
condition of access to Cornell animals and animal facilities.
Veterinary Care
Program
The program of veterinary care consists of assessment of animal well-being and
effective management of the following components:
Animal procurement and transportation: Evaluate potential vendors for the
quality of animals they provide and review the health history; ensure that for
all types of transportation, animal safety and well-being are maintained, and
an appropriate level of biosecurity is provided.
Preventive medicine: Assess need for, and implement, appropriate
quarantine, animal biosecurity, and surveillance to maintain healthy animals
and minimize non-protocol sources of variation associated with disease and
inapparent infection.
Clinical disease, disability, or related health issues, and assessment of animal
well-being: All animals are observed daily by a person or persons qualified to
verify their well-being. Concerns are communicated to the CARE veterinary
staff. Appropriate treatment or control measures, including euthanasia if
indicated, are instituted following diagnosis of an animal disease or injury, in
conjunction with the principal investigator (PI). Disease surveillance
including routine monitoring of colony animals for the presence of parasitic,
bacterial, and viral agents is performed on a regular schedule depending on
species and studies being performed.
Protocol-associated disease, disability and other sequelae: If possible, the
CARE veterinarian will discuss the situation with the PI to determine a course
of action consistent with experimental goals. However, where there are
concerns about animal welfare or imminent danger to animals or human
health, if the PI is not available, or if agreement cannot be reached, the CARE
Cornell Policy Library
Volume: 1, Academic
Research
Responsible Executive: Senior
Vice Provost for Research and
Institutional Official (Ithaca
Campus Units)
Responsible Offices : Cornell
Center for Animal Resources
and Education/Institutional
Animal Care and Use
Committee/Office of Research
Integrity and Assurance (Ithaca
Campus Units)
Originally Issued: May 8, 2002
Last Updated: October 24,
2016
POLICY 1.4
Care and Use of Live Vertebrate Animals in Research and Teaching
PROCEDURES, ITHACA CAMPUS UNITS, CONTINUED
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veterinarian has authority to act to protect the health and well-being of
institutional animals.
Surgery, pre- and post-operative care, pain and distress, anesthesia and
analgesia, euthanasia: CARE veterinarians have the responsibility and
authority to ensure that handling, restraint, anesthesia, analgesia, and
euthanasia are administered as required to relieve pain and suffering in
research animals, provided that such intervention is not specifically
precluded in protocols reviewed and approved by the IACUC. This includes
monitoring and providing recommendations concerning preoperative
procedures, surgical techniques, the qualifications of personnel to perform
surgery, and the provision of postoperative care.
Cornell Animal
Facilities
The Provost vests oversight responsibility for the institutional Animal Care and
Use program, including the operation of animal facilities, with the senior vice
provost for research who serves as Institutional Official (IO), and the director of
CARE who reports to the senior vice provost for research/IO or designee.
The senior vice provost for research must approve the use of any Cornell animal
facility and must ensure that the number and type of campus animal facilities are
maintained at the minimum necessary to assure animal welfare and advance
research and teaching while ensuring staff efficiencies, cost minimization, and
maintained accreditation.
Animals may be housed in a facility only after the IACUC has inspected and
approved it for animal use.
New Animal Facilities
All animals will be housed in existing Ithaca campus unit (“campus”) animal
facilities or a non-Cornell owned facility if approved by the IACUC. Adding animal
facilities to Cornell’s already existing centralized program of animal care and use is
costly, with significant one-time construction or renovation expenses, new and
ongoing operating and maintenance expenses, and often increases in per diems.
Proliferation of animal facilities poses risks to providing appropriate animal care,
effectively supporting researchers, and maintaining accreditation.
New animal facilities at Ithaca campus units will be considered only if animal
welfare impacts and scientifically justified research requirements cannot be
addressed through renovation or other means of remediation of current facilities or
changes to research protocols.
Cornell Policy Library
Volume: 1, Academic
Research
Responsible Executive: Senior
Vice Provost for Research and
Institutional Official (Ithaca
Campus Units)
Responsible Offices : Cornell
Center for Animal Resources
and Education/Institutional
Animal Care and Use
Committee/Office of Research
Integrity and Assurance (Ithaca
Campus Units)
Originally Issued: May 8, 2002
Last Updated: October 24,
2016
POLICY 1.4
Care and Use of Live Vertebrate Animals in Research and Teaching
PROCEDURES, ITHACA CAMPUS UNITS, CONTINUED
17
Requests to consider new animal facilities must be made by the department head
and the college dean to the Senior Vice Provost for Research. The director of CARE
will consult with the researcher, department administration, and college to
determine the research needs and the options for utilizing current facilities. The
director of CARE will advise the senior vice provost for research on the details of
the assessment, including cost, staffing, animal welfare, and necessary research
infrastructure. The director of CARE will provide cost estimates to the college
dean/unit head and department chair. The senior vice provost for research will also
consult with the IACUC chair, the researcher, the dean/unit head and department
chair, and others as necessary to make a final determination.
The cost of renovation and construction must be covered by the
department/college. In cases where the facility will be used primarily by one
researcher, department, or college, the maintenance, utilities, staffing and other
costs that are not covered by per diems will not be included in campus allocated
research costs and instead must be covered by the college and/or department.
No commitments of new animal facilities may be made to potential or current
investigators without the approval of the senior vice provost for research and
agreement by the college dean/unit head to cover the corresponding financial
commitment.
Note: The use of non-human primates in research and other scientific purposes
can provide unique and important models for human and animal health. The
pursuit of such research also requires sophisticated and costly infrastructure and
expertise to assure animal welfare and to protect researchers and animal care staff
from zoonotic risks. This infrastructure is not currently in place on the Ithaca
campus, therefore, the use of non-human primates for research, teaching, or testing
is not allowed on the Ithaca-based campuses. Any potential change in this position
will require the engagement of campus leadership, including but not limited to the
President, Provost, Senior Vice Provost for Research, and the Directors of CARE
and ORIA. Such discussions, which will have to balance the costs against the
societal and institutional benefits of the research and also assess the value of
alternative use of the requisite university resources in support of other research,
will likely be lengthy. o
No action may be taken related to employment or admission offers, proposal
submission, or any other planning for use of non-human primates on the Ithaca
campus until these deliberations are first requested by interested parties, and then
Cornell Policy Library
Volume: 1, Academic
Research
Responsible Executive: Senior
Vice Provost for Research and
Institutional Official (Ithaca
Campus Units)
Responsible Offices : Cornell
Center for Animal Resources
and Education/Institutional
Animal Care and Use
Committee/Office of Research
Integrity and Assurance (Ithaca
Campus Units)
Originally Issued: May 8, 2002
Last Updated: October 24,
2016
POLICY 1.4
Care and Use of Live Vertebrate Animals in Research and Teaching
PROCEDURES, ITHACA CAMPUS UNITS, CONTINUED
18
completed with institutional decisions made by the President and Provost
regarding any change in this position.
Management and Operation (for more detail, see Responsibilities)
IACUC must review at least once every six months the institution’s program for
animal care and use, using the Animal Welfare Act Regulations (AWAR), Guide for
the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (“Guide”), and the Guide for the Care and
Use of Agricultural Animals in Agriculture and Research (“Ag Guide”) as a basis
for evaluation. The Guide is used as the primary standard for facilities and
program evaluations for research that meets the federal “biomedical” definition.
For agricultural animals that are used in biomedical research, the IACUC assesses
the user goals, procedures and concern for animal welfare based on the animal use
proposed in the protocol, to determine whether a farm or laboratory setting is most
appropriate. Thus, regardless of the “biomedical” or “agricultural” nature of the
animal work, when the IACUC determines that a farm setting is most appropriate
for the conduct of the animal work, the Ag Guide is used as a resource for facilities
and program evaluations. The appropriateness of the housing setting is determined
and approved by the IACUC as part of the protocol review.
CARE has authority over all Ithaca campus unit physical facilities holding or
housing vertebrate animals. CARE is directly responsible for the management and
operation of certain of these animal facilities at Cornell, generally those supporting
behavioral/biomedical research, while other animal facilities, generally those
associated with agricultural research, fall under the day-to-day operation of the
colleges. The director of CARE oversees all animal facilities.
For the director of CARE to achieve standards of animal care and use at Cornell
that meet the principles of humane care and use of animals and are compliant with
federal regulations and the accreditation standards of the Association for
Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International
(AAALAC):
The director of CARE will keep supervisors and department chairs and/or
program directors informed of problems or concerns regarding the
management of animal facilities in their respective areas of responsibility.
The director of CARE and the colleges will maintain open lines of
communication as they partner to facilitate the research, teaching, and
production programs of the college and departments.
Cornell Policy Library
Volume: 1, Academic
Research
Responsible Executive: Senior
Vice Provost for Research and
Institutional Official (Ithaca
Campus Units)
Responsible Offices : Cornell
Center for Animal Resources
and Education/Institutional
Animal Care and Use
Committee/Office of Research
Integrity and Assurance (Ithaca
Campus Units)
Originally Issued: May 8, 2002
Last Updated: October 24,
2016
POLICY 1.4
Care and Use of Live Vertebrate Animals in Research and Teaching
PROCEDURES, ITHACA CAMPUS UNITS, CONTINUED
19
Managers of animal facilities operated by CARE will report to the director
of CARE.
For nonacademic managers of animal facilities not directly managed and
operated by CARE:
o The director of CARE, or a designated representative, will
participate in the selection and hiring decision for any
nonacademic position whose responsibilities include managing an
animal facility.
o The manager will have a secondary, or indirect, reporting
relationship to the director of CARE. The importance and rationale
for this indirect reporting relationship will be conveyed to the
managers in writing, for instance, a letter of appointment or
reappointment, and this reporting relationship will be noted
explicitly in the formal university position description for the
facility management position.
o Supervisors of nonacademic managers of animal facilities, not
operated by CARE, will seek the input of the director of CARE
during the managers’ annual performance review.
Academic staff members who directly supervise an animal facility are
expected to work closely with the director of CARE to ensure that the
operation of the animal facility and care for the animals is consistent with
the standards established by Cornell and through accreditation by
AAALAC.
College/departments should confer with CARE at the time of annual budget
planning with respect to priorities for ongoing maintenance or capital expenditures
for animal facilities.
Planning and Design
All animal housing and procedure spaces must be in full compliance with current
regulations and standards, including U.S. Department of Agriculture and
AAALAC.
The director of CARE or a designee, must participate in the planning and design of
any construction or renovation involving animal facilities. The CARE
representative must review and approve all final plans prior to implementation.
Visitation
Cornell Policy Library
Volume: 1, Academic
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Responsible Executive: Senior
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Institutional Official (Ithaca
Campus Units)
Responsible Offices : Cornell
Center for Animal Resources
and Education/Institutional
Animal Care and Use
Committee/Office of Research
Integrity and Assurance (Ithaca
Campus Units)
Originally Issued: May 8, 2002
Last Updated: October 24,
2016
POLICY 1.4
Care and Use of Live Vertebrate Animals in Research and Teaching
PROCEDURES, ITHACA CAMPUS UNITS, CONTINUED
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For reasons of health, safety, and security, animal facilities generally are not open to
the public. Applications for public tours may be made to CARE, the manager of the
facility, and the PI(s), who must all give consent. If a tour is approved, all visitors
are subject to the provisions of the AUHSP. Only IACUC approved animals are
allowed in Cornell animal facilities.
Use of Animals in
Instruction
Vertebrate animals serve as an invaluable aid in instruction. It is recognized,
however, that some students have ethical objections to the use of vertebrate animals
in this manner. Courses that use vertebrate animals are identified as such in the
course descriptions. Students who have concerns about the use of animals in these
courses should consult the course instructor for more information about the precise
ways in which the animals are used.
Guidelines for Faculty and Students on the Use of Animals in Instruction
For demonstrating certain principles and procedures, the use of animals in teaching
is recognized as an invaluable, often essential, pedagogical device.
All animal use proposed or planned for classroom instruction must be
approved by the Cornell IACUC.
For courses in which vertebrate animals are to be used in dissection,
surgery, or in other experimental procedures, the course description that
appears in the Courses of Study catalog should alert students to this fact.
A detailed description of the intended use of vertebrate animals should be
available to students upon request from the instructor of each course. This
intended animal use must be approved by the IACUC in an animal protocol
describing such use.
Faculty should instruct students in the responsible use of animals.
Faculty members are encouraged to explain their reasons and need for
using vertebrate animals, and should indicate to students the availability of
the procedures described in item eight below.
Students are encouraged to discuss their concerns about the instructional
use of vertebrate animals with the instructor in the course.
When consistent with pedagogical objectives, faculty members are
encouraged to consider adopting alternative methods and procedures that
do not involve the use of live animals.
Cornell Policy Library
Volume: 1, Academic
Research
Responsible Executive: Senior
Vice Provost for Research and
Institutional Official (Ithaca
Campus Units)
Responsible Offices : Cornell
Center for Animal Resources
and Education/Institutional
Animal Care and Use
Committee/Office of Research
Integrity and Assurance (Ithaca
Campus Units)
Originally Issued: May 8, 2002
Last Updated: October 24,
2016
POLICY 1.4
Care and Use of Live Vertebrate Animals in Research and Teaching
PROCEDURES, ITHACA CAMPUS UNITS, CONTINUED
21
Submission,
Maintenance,
Review, and
Approval of
Proposed Animal
Activities
The IACUC is responsible for overseeing and evaluating all aspects of animal care
and use, and must review proposed animal activities to ensure that the criteria for
humane care and use of animals established in the PHS Policy and Animal Care
Regulations are implemented and followed. In its review of these proposals, the
IACUC’s primary goal is to facilitate compliance with Cornell policies, and
applicable laws and regulations consistent with the pursuit of appropriate and
productive scientific endeavors. The method and schedule for submission, review,
approval, and maintenance of these proposals (including initial use protocols,
amendments, three-year renewals and annual reviews) by the Cornell IACUC is
outlined in IACUC policies.
The PI must complete and submit a protocol for the use of live vertebrate animals,
for research, teaching, or testing. No animal activity can begin until a written
notification of approval is issued by the IACUC chair or her/his designee.
PIs submitting protocols for review requiring that animals be subject to more than
momentary or slight pain or distress must provide evidence that alternatives to
such procedures have been considered, including potential use of non-animal or in
vitro systems, refinement of research techniques designed to decrease or eliminate
pain and distress, and reduction in the number of animals required to obtain
scientifically valid data through better experimental design.
Studies will be approved for a period of 36 months subject to annual reviews, after
which time a new and complete protocol for the use of live vertebrate animals must
be submitted.
The IACUC conducts an annual review of the protocol. The investigator is required
to report annually on the status of the protocol and that ongoing activities are
conducted in accordance with the approved protocol.
When students object on ethical or other valid grounds to participating in
an exercise using vertebrate animals, instructors are encouraged to provide
alternative means for learning the same material when consistent with
pedagogical objectives.
A student who is reluctant to voice his or her concerns about animal use in a
particular course, or who thinks these concerns have not received proper
attention, may seek assistance from the chair of the IACUC at 255-5398, or
by e-mail at i[email protected].
Cornell Policy Library
Volume: 1, Academic
Research
Responsible Executive: Senior
Vice Provost for Research and
Institutional Official (Ithaca
Campus Units)
Responsible Offices : Cornell
Center for Animal Resources
and Education/Institutional
Animal Care and Use
Committee/Office of Research
Integrity and Assurance (Ithaca
Campus Units)
Originally Issued: May 8, 2002
Last Updated: October 24,
2016
POLICY 1.4
Care and Use of Live Vertebrate Animals in Research and Teaching
PROCEDURES, ITHACA CAMPUS UNITS, CONTINUED
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No changes to the procedures approved by the IACUC on a protocol can be
implemented until an amendment is submitted and reviewed by the IACUC and a
written approval for the amendment has been issued. The type of review required
for an amendment may vary depending on the nature of the amendment.
The protocol for the use of live vertebrate animals is considered the intellectual
property of the PI, available only for confidential use by IACUC members and
reviewers. Accordingly, no individual may be given access to the protocol without
the explicit permission of the PI.
Recordkeeping and
Reporting
Cornell University maintains recordkeeping and reporting requirements related to
the animal care and use program in accordance with PHS Policy, AWAR, and
requirements of AAALAC accreditation.
Records that relate directly to protocols, such as protocol form, IACUC review
documentation, amendments, and annual reviews,- must be kept for the duration
of the activity and for an additional three years after completion of the activity.
Records documenting such activities conform to the recommendations of The Guide
and with commonly accepted professional standards.
Animal Procedural and Health Records
Records documenting such activities as the provision of adequate veterinary care
and occupational safety as it pertains to animal use are expected to conform to the
recommendations of The Guide and with commonly accepted professional
standards. The PI is responsible for keeping the following records:
Accurate and complete animal identification, health, and procedural
records must be maintained for all animals used on a protocol. Records
should be readily available to inspectors, veterinary staff, and animal care
staff.
For all species, animal husbandry and health records must be retained until
final disposition of the animal (e.g., euthanized, transferred, adopted)
unless required otherwise by the IACUC or the AV. In addition, dog and
cat records and reports must be maintained for three years after a study is
completed. Procedural records should be kept at a minimum of three years,
or after the publication of all research manuscripts resulting from that
study.
Cornell Policy Library
Volume: 1, Academic
Research
Responsible Executive: Senior
Vice Provost for Research and
Institutional Official (Ithaca
Campus Units)
Responsible Offices : Cornell
Center for Animal Resources
and Education/Institutional
Animal Care and Use
Committee/Office of Research
Integrity and Assurance (Ithaca
Campus Units)
Originally Issued: May 8, 2002
Last Updated: October 24,
2016
POLICY 1.4
Care and Use of Live Vertebrate Animals in Research and Teaching
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Procedure for
Reporting Violations
of this Policy
Any member of the university community who is aware of potential violations to
this policy should report this concern, anonymously if so desired, to the Office of
Research Integrity and Assurance, chair of the IACUC, or through the Cornell
Hotline. No member of the university community bringing forth a legitimate
concern will be discriminated against or be subject to any reprisal for reporting
such violations. Individuals who take retaliatory action will be subject to discipline,
up to and including discharge.
The identity of individuals providing information concerning possible violations,
including fraud, will be protected within legal limits. Throughout the inquiry and
investigation of alleged violation(s), all individuals who are involved in the
complaint reporting and/or investigation process will take all reasonable
precautions, consistent with the need for a complete and comprehensive review of
the case, to
maintain confidentiality and to protect the rights and legitimate interests of both
the person making the disclosure of violation and the subject(s) of the investigation.
An investigation of the incident report, reporting and further actions will be taken
in accordance with IACUC policies. Disciplinary measures may be taken if
appropriate to the circumstances, by one of the following: immediate supervisor;
department chair; college dean; relevant vice provost; responsible university office.
After the investigation has concluded, at the request of a party to the complaint and
if warranted by the circumstances, the chair, in concurrence with the IO, may
release publicly a summary notice of the case, the issue, and the resolution.
Cornell Policy Library
Volume: 1, Academic
Research
Responsible Executive: Senior
Vice Provost for Research and
Institutional Official (Ithaca
Campus Units)
Responsible Offices : Cornell
Center for Animal Resources
and Education/Institutional
Animal Care and Use
Committee/Office of Research
Integrity and Assurance (Ithaca
Campus Units)
Originally Issued: May 8, 2002
Last Updated: October 24,
2016
POLICY 1.4
Care and Use of Live Vertebrate Animals in Research and Teaching
24
APPENDIX A: LINES OF RESPONSIBILITY, ITHACA
CAMPUS UNITS
Diagram 1
Lines of Responsibility
University President
University Provost
Institutional Official
CARE
IACUC
Cornell Policy Library
Volume: 1, Academic
Research
Responsible Executive: Senior
Vice Provost for Research and
Institutional Official (Ithaca
Campus Units)
Responsible Offices : Cornell
Center for Animal Resources
and Education/Institutional
Animal Care and Use
Committee/Office of Research
Integrity and Assurance (Ithaca
Campus Units)
Originally Issued: May 8, 2002
Last Updated: October 24,
2016
POLICY 1.4
Care and Use of Live Vertebrate Animals in Research and Teaching
25
INDEX
AAALAC ........................................................ 5, 19, 20, 23
Accreditation .................. 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 17, 19, 20, 23
Anesthesia ............................................................... 7, 17
AC (Animal Care) ...................................................... 5, 10
Animal Care and Use Program ..... 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10,
13, 14, 15, 17
Animal Users Health and Safety Program ........ 4, 5, 7, 16
Animal Welfare Act .................................... 3, 5, 8, 13, 19
Animal Welfare Assurance .................................... 4, 5, 9
APHIS ....................................................................... 5, 10
AUHSP ............................................................ 3, 5, 16, 21
AV (attending veterinarian) ............... 5, 9, 11, 14, 15, 23
AWAR ................................................... 5, 8, 9, 10, 19, 23
Biosecurity ............................................................... 7, 16
CARE ......................... 5, 7, 8, 9, 11, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20
Compliance ................. 1, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 20, 22
Construction ................................................ 8, 17, 18, 20
Clinical disease ......................................................... 7, 16
Conflict of interest ......................................................... 3
Cornell Center for Animal Resources and Education 1, 4,
13
Disability .................................................................. 7, 16
Euthanasia ..................................................................... 7
Environmental Health and Safety ............................ 4, 15
Faculty ..................................................... 1, 5, 15, 16, 21
IACUC . 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19,
21, 22, 23, 24
Inspection .......................................................... 7, 10, 15
Institutional Official ....................... 1, 2, 5, 10, 11, 14, 17
Instruction ............................................................... 2, 21
Management and operation ....................................... 19
New animal facilities ................................................... 17
New York, State of ............................................... 3, 8, 13
NIH ......................................................................... 6, 8, 9
Office of Research Integrity and Assurance . 1, 4, 6, 9, 23
OLAW..................................................................... 6, 8, 9
ORIA ..................................................................... 6, 9, 18
Procurement, Animal .............................................. 7, 16
PHS ....................................... 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, 22, 23
Planning and design .................................................... 20
Primates ...................................................................... 18
Protocol ........ 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 17, 19, 21, 22, 23
Preventive medicine ................................................ 7, 16
Principles ......................................................... 2, 3, 9, 13
Procedures ................................................. 2, 3, 9, 10, 14
Proposed animal activities ...................................... 2, 22
Protocol ............................................................... 6, 7, 16
Quarantine .............................................................. 7, 16
Recordkeeping ............................................................. 23
Recordkeeping ............................................................. 23
Reports .................................................................... 2, 23
Reporting ........................ 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 19, 22, 23, 24
Review .............................. 7, 8, 11, 16, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24
Senior vice provost for research................ 14, 16, 17, 18
University policy ............................................................ 3
USDA ...................................................................... 3, 6, 8
Violations ............................................................. 2, 4, 23
Visitation ..................................................................... 20