UT Southwestern IACUC Policy                                                                     IACUC  # 112

Approval Date:__1/4/06_______                                                                1 of 1

Tissue Sharing

Rationale:
Tissue sharing is an excellent application of the concepts of reduction, refinement and replacement.  It reduces the number of animals needed for research purposes.  However, there are some instances in which the collection of the tissue may require an IACUC approved protocol. 
Policy:

IACUC approval is required if:

• Animals are euthanized solely for the purpose of tissue sharing.
• Animals will not be used in accordance with the approved protocol ante mortem.

IACUC approval is not required if:

• The collection takes place postmortem, the animal is not euthanized for the purpose of tissue sharing, and approved procedures for the live animal are not altered.
• The tissues are by-products of commercial enterprise (slaughterhouse) or by-products of other IACUC approved protocols. 
• Tissues are “off-the-shelf” commercially-available.

Applicability:

This policy applies to all tissue sharing between PI’s and to all tissue being sent to and from collaborating institutions.

Exceptions:

Exceptions to the Tissue Sharing policy require a written request and subsequent approval by the IACUC.

Instructions:

Anyone transferring tissues into or within UT Southwestern or from UT Southwestern to another institution for the purposes of animal research must contact the IACUC office at 8-5550 for more information.

General guidelines for animal tissue acquisition:

• Animals used for tissue must be sacrificed by approved personnel and in accordance with the IACUC-approved protocol that animal is assigned.
• Some animal tumor and/or cell lines that will be introduced into the rodent colonies at UT Southwestern must be tested for pathogens.  For a detailed description of this requirement, see the IACUC’s Screening for Rodent Biologicals, Including Serum, Tumors, and Cell Lines policy. 
• If animals were used in conjunction with hazardous materials, carcass, and tissue disposal methods must adhere to the approved EH&S safety plan.

Contact Information:

For any additional questions, please contact the IACUC Manager at 5-6420.