Does your research project involve animals?  If so, there may be some additional steps you need to take before you get started.  When vertebrate animal subjects are involved in a research study there is a set of regulations and guiding ethical principles that need to be observed.  Before getting started here are a couple of important definitions that will guide the decision process.

A systematic investigation, including research development, testing, and evaluation, designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge.

Any live, vertebrate animal used or intended for use in research, research training, experimentation, or biological testing or for related purposes.

If the work you are planning with animals meets these two definitions, then you may be required to conduct your work in accordance with the Public Health Service (PHS) Policy on Human Care and use of Laboratory Animals.  Such research must be approved by the Missouri Western Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee.  The process for submitting a research protocol to the IACUC described on the Animal Use in Research Webpage.

• Studies that involve unobtrusive observation of animals in their natural habitats. 
• Research, teaching and/or testing using cadavers or tissues from dead animals UNLESS the cadavers or tissues are to be acquired from animals specifically purchased or euthanized for the activity.
• Activities ordered and/or performed by the Attending Veterinarian or designee that involve only standard veterinary or emergency procedures necessary to ensure animal welfare.
• Activities involving retrieval or use of animal-related data from records.
• Research, teaching and/or testing involving embryonated eggs PRIOR to hatching.
• Any activity involving lower-level invertebrate species (e.g. brine shrimp, fruit flies, nematodes, mosquitos, etc.).
• Non-research, non-teaching, or non-testing activities involving privately owned animals, in which the activity is not an official MWSU activity.
• Removal of vertebrate vermin.

• PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals
• Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals
• US Government Principles for the Utilization and Care of Vertebrate Animals Used in Testing, Research, and Training 
• International Guiding Principles for Biomedical Research Involving Animals