About IACUC

Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)

The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC, hereinafter referred to as the "Committee") is a body that evaluates and oversees the animal care and use program in accordance with the international guide "Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, NRC (National Research Council)" as well as the domestic Animal Protection Act and the Laboratory Animal Act.

As the use of laboratory animals has increased alongside recent advances in science and industry, animal-experiment-performing institutions have introduced the Committee to refrain from indiscriminate animal experiments and to promote the welfare (protection) of laboratory animals as well as their scientific use and ethical treatment. The Committee deliberates on and approves the scientific validity of animal experiments and verifies and evaluates matters concerning the management and use of animal experiment facilities and laboratory animals.

Since 2007, animal experiment facilities prescribed by Presidential Decree have been required to establish a Committee in order to promote the protection and humane treatment of laboratory animals. Seoul National University Hospital established its Committee on March 1, 2005 and has maintained it to this day.

Role of the Committee

The fundamental purpose of the Committee is to promote the scientific and ethical use of laboratory animals, to ensure animal protection and welfare, and to limit unnecessary use of animals. To this end, the Committee must comply with relevant laws and regulations and establish and operate institution-specific committee operating guidelines or regulations that reflect them.

The Committee reviews the laboratory animal and animal experiment programs operated by the institution and provides necessary advisory support. The Committee holds meetings to deliberate on and approve animal study protocols, and conducts Post-Approval Monitoring (PAM); it also performs fact-finding investigations regarding compliance with the principles of animal experimentation and the protection, welfare, and ethical treatment of laboratory animals, and then requires evaluation and corrective action.

The Committee checks whether the institution faithfully implements its internal regulations and relevant statutes, and where deficiencies are found, it may require the head of the institution to take measures to improve them. The Committee may provide education and training to facility personnel and researchers, or offer them expert knowledge and information.

In order to review animal management and perform its supervisory role, the Committee conducts evaluations of the animal experiment facility at least twice a year. The report recommends to what degree the animal experiment facility complies with regulations and that a plan be established to correct deficiencies so that the regulations can be met, and it makes recommendations on each facility's animal management program, equipment, and personnel education.

Independence of the Committee

The independence of the Committee in reviewing and approving animal study protocols must be thoroughly guaranteed. Accordingly, unless there are special grounds, the head of the animal experiment facility may not reject matters resolved by the Committee, nor may they dismiss members or arbitrarily dissolve a convened Committee.

Composition of the Committee

In accordance with the Animal Protection Act and the Laboratory Animal Act, the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee is operated independently and autonomously.

The Committee consists of no fewer than 4 and no more than 15 members, including one chairperson, and is composed of veterinarians, persons recommended by private animal protection organizations, persons who hold a doctoral degree in the field of animal experimentation, and other persons necessary to promote the protection and ethical treatment of laboratory animals. At least one-third of all members must be external members who have no interest in the relevant animal-experiment-performing institution, thereby guaranteeing independence.

For detailed information on the composition, functions, and operating procedures of the Committee, please refer to the "Operating Regulations".