Vertebrate Animals

Gettysburg College is committed to ensuring that all research involving vertebrate animals undertaken under the auspices of the institution (whether by faculty, students, or staff) meets the highest humane, ethical, and scientific standards for the treatment of these animals. Research on vertebrate subjects will fall into one of two categories: (1) research protocols requiring a full review by Gettysburg College's Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) (this category includes all research funded by the National Science Foundation, the Department of Health and Human Services, and other funding agencies with similar restrictions), and (2) use of vertebrates in teaching or research for which a departmental review of the protocol finds the animal treatment and scientific merit satisfactory or finds it necessary to forward the protocol to the IACUC for formal review.

Any protocols that include use of invasive procedures, hazardous substances, pain, stress or euthanasia must be reviewed. All investigator(s) must fill out the IACUC Animal Use Request Form and submit it to the faculty member's department and/or IACUC for approval before beginning the project.