Vertebrate Animals

The use of live vertebrate animals in research and educational programs in the United States must be in accordance with the Public Health Service (PHS) Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (the Guide), the Animal Welfare Act (AWA), and the regulations of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

To comply with these policies and regulations, every research institution in the United States must have an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). This committee has to be appointed by the chief executive officer of the institution and has to be representative of the entire institution. The committee must have a non-scientist member as well as a representative from the community who has no association with the University.

Baylor University must remain in compliance with the policies and regulations governing the use of live vertebrate animals in research and educational programs. The Baylor Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) is responsible for insuring this compliance. The IACUC reports to the Institutional Official. The Institutional Official at Baylor University is Kevin Chambliss, Interim Vice Provost for Research. The Office of Research Compliance in the Office of the Vice Provost for Research has administrative oversight over animal care and use and the IACUC. Baylor University maintains an assurance with the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare - #A3948.