Animal Protocol Preparation & Review
Both the Animal Welfare Act and the Public Health Service (PHS) Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, otherwise known as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Policy, require an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) to oversee animal care and use programs at institutions using vertebrate animals in research and teaching. The Administrative Panel on Laboratory Animal Care (APLAC) is the IACUC at Stanford University. Its functions are clearly defined by NIH, University policy, and the Animal Welfare Act. One of these functions includes review of all proposed uses of vertebrates for research and teaching (via review of protocols and funding proposals submitted by the Protocol Director).
All research and teaching activities involving live or dead vertebrate animals use must be reviewed and approved by the APLAC prior to activity commencement. To obtain approval for your activities, you'll need to complete and submit an electronic protocol application form, detailing your intended use of animals for APLAC review. In general, protocol applications received by the first of the month will be reviewed at the APLAC meeting that month. If this is a new protocol, new animal model to your laboratory, or you are proposing a significant change in an existing animal studies, please consult with Veterinary staff, (650) 723-3876 and get their recommendations for inclusion in your protocol submission.
Information on animal protocol preparation and review can be found on the APLAC web site under “protocols.” You can also contact the A-PLAC Office at (650) 723-4550.
