4.3 Requirements For Live Animals (02/01)

Institute policy requires that all animals required for research or teaching must be approved and purchased by the Division of Comparative Medicine (DCM). Special forms must be completed and are available from DCM. DCM will charge the requisitioner’s MIT account through established internal billing procedures.

DCM must approve requisitions for services such as antibody production or the production of transgenic mice that occur at non-MIT sites. Once DCM has approved the requisition a purchase order will be issued in the requisitioner’s name.

DCM must approve all subcontracts involving animal use regardless of the site.

Purchases of animal derived products that are commercially available (listed in catalogs) and that will not come in contact with live animals at MIT or any collaborating institution do not need to be approved by DCM.

In the case of animal tissues or body fluids (other than sera) obtained from slaughter houses or commercial sources and that will not have contact with live animals at MIT or WI, purchase orders should be routed through the DCM purchasing office and be accompanied by a CAC form entitled Application to Exempt Use of Animal tissues or Body Fluids from CAC Review.

These guidelines can not anticipate all potential types of purchase order requests that involve animal use. When clarification is needed, the investigator is requested to contact the DCM Purchasing Office (3-1718). They will either provide immediate guidance or resolve the problem by consultation with the CAC.

** An approved animal use protocol from the Committee on Animal care (CAC) is required.