Skip to main content

Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee / School, Health Campus

USM IACUC

The Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (USM IACUC / JKPPH USM) primary responsibility is to ensure that the care and use of animals for scientific purposes (which include testing and teaching) are humane, ethical, and in compliance with the Animal Welfare Act 2015 and its subsidiary regulations, Malaysian Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes (MYCODE), USM rules and regulations, and any other applicable federal/state laws and regulations. To achieve this, the USM IACUC:

  1. Aims to ensure that all care and use of animals are conducted in compliance with the proper code of practice for research, testing and teaching     
  2. Examines and approve, approve subject to modification, or reject written proposals relevant to the use of animals for scientific purposes
  3. Shall approve only those studies for which animal use are essential and justified. This should take into consideration factors including ethics, impact on the animals and the anticipated scientific or educational value
  4. May revoke approval for any studies not in accordance to code of practice for research, testing and teaching.
  5. May authorize the emergency treatment or euthanasia of any animals;
  6. Shall maintain a record of proposals and studies;
  7. Shall hold inspections on the Institution’s housing facilities
  8. Have regular meetings of its members

* Use of invertebrates for scientific purposes (research, testing and teaching) do not need USM IACUC assessment.

Members of the USM IACUC are appointed by the Vice Chancellor of USM and consists of scientists, veterinarians, and members of the public who are not affiliated to USM, and has not been involved in the use of animals in scientific activities.

The use of animals for scientific purposes must incorporate the 3R principles – which are Replacement, Reduction and Refinement. Thus proposals for research, testing and teaching will be assessed for these principles: 

  • Replacement of animals with other methods for example in vitro methods.
  • Reduction in the number of animals used / no wastage of live animals used
  • Refinement of techniques used to reduce the adverse impact on animals such as pain and suffering.

All scientific activities involving animals must comply with the Animal Welfare Act 2015, its subsidiary legislations and University Regulations. Please refer to the Malaysian Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes (MY CODE) produced by the Malaysian Animal Welfare Board when preparing your proposal, as a guideline for ethical and humane care and use of animals for scientific purposes.

All applications for USM IACUC approval must be from USM staff

Upcoming activities

Submission Deadline for USM IACUC 150th Meeting - 21st November 2024 (Thursday)

USM IACUC 150th Meeting - December 2024