Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee

Mission

The mission of the IACUC is to achieve the best practice by international standards of animal ethics in all animal care and use programmes in SIT. Towards this goal, the SIT IACUC:

1. Evaluates animal use for scientific purposes. This includes research, teaching, field trials, environmental and behavioural studies, diagnosis, product testing and the production of biological materials, through the review of animal use protocols;
2. Ensures that the use of animals is carried out in accordance with the approved animal use protocol through regular post-approval monitoring visits of animal use facilities.
3. Ensures that the housing and care of animals are provided in accordance with the National Advisory Committee for Laboratory Animal Research (NACLAR) Guidelines (Guidelines on the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes) in premises licensed by the Animal & Veterinary Service (AVS), the regulatory body of the Singapore Animals and Birds Act;
4. Ensures that the personnel involved in the care and use of animals are suitably qualified and trained
5. Liaises with the Safety & Health Division (S&H) on occupational safety and health programme in animal care and use protocols;
6. Liaises with the Institutional Review Board (IRB) on the ethical use of human tissues in animal use protocols; and
7. Conducts annual inspection of animal housing and use facilities and semi-annual review of animal care and use programmes

Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee 

SIT IACUC is made up of the following memberships: veterinarians, scientists, non-scientists and non-affiliated residents of the community.

The functions and responsibilities of IACUC, in accordance with the National Advisory Committee for Laboratory Animal Research (NACLAR) guidelines, are to: 

1. Review, at least once every 6 months, the Institution’s programmes on the care and use of animals for scientific purposes 
2. Inspect the Housing and Research Facilities, at least once annually
3. Prepare reports of its evaluation and submit the same directly to the Chairperson. 
4. Determine the best means of conducting an evaluation of the care and use of animals 
5. Invite adhoc consultants to assist in conducting the evaluation, but IACUC remains responsible for the evaluation and report. 
6. Review and approve, subject to modification, or reject proposals for Projects involving the use of animals for scientific purposes.
7. Formally withdraw approval for or suspend any ongoing project if the IACUC determines that the project is not being conducted in accordance with the description provided by the Investigator and approved by the IACUC.
8. Make recommendations to the Chairperson regarding any aspects of the programmes, facilities, or personnel training at the housing and research facilities. 
9. Review and investigate concerns involving the care and use of animals including public complaints or reports of non-compliance from staffs or Investigators. 
10. Authorise the treatment or humane killing of any animal. 
11. Maintain a register of approved projects. 
12. Approved projects of long duration and the long-term continuous use of individual animals shall be reviewed at least annually by the IACUC.
13. Perform all other duties required by the Guiding Principles.