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Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee / School, Health Campus

USM IACUC

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

  1. Ensure that all care and use of animals are conducted in compliance with the appropriate code of practice for research, testing, and teaching.    
  2. Examines and approves, approves with modifications, or rejects written proposals related to the use of animals for scientific purposes.
  3. Approves only those studies where the use of animals is essential and justified, taking into account ethical considerations, the impact on the animals, and the anticipated scientific or educational value.
  4. May revoke approval for any studies that are not conducted in accordance with the relevant codes of practice for research, testing, and teaching.
  5. May authorize emergency treatment or euthanasia of animals when necessary.
  6. Maintains records of proposals and studies.
  7. Conduct inspections of the institution’s animal housing facilities.
  8. Holds regular meetings of its members.

Note: The use of invertebrates for scientific purposes (research, testing, and teaching) does not require USM IACUC assessment.

Members of the USM IACUC are appointed by the Vice Chancellor of USM. The committee comprises scientists, veterinarians, and members of the public who are not affiliated with USM and have not been involved in the use of animals for scientific activities.

The use of animals for scientific purposes must adhere to the 3R principles: Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement. Proposals for research, testing, and teaching are assessed based on these principles: 

  • Replacement: Replacement the use of animals with alternative methods, such as in vitro techniques.
  • Reduction: Minimizing the number of animals used and avoiding any wastage of live animals.
  • Refinement: Improving techniques to reduce adverse impacts on animals, including minimizing 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 151st Meeting - 16th January 2025 (Thursday)

USM IACUC 151st Meeting - Mid February 2025