Research with Animals

Columbia University is committed to the use of animals in biomedical research only when all other options have been determined to be inadequate or inappropriate. In providing guidance to the scientific community on fulfilling the obligation to conduct animal research with the highest scientific, humane and ethical principles, Columbia acknowledges the extensive medical advancements that are the direct result of research.

 

Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees

All animal research protocols must be approved by one of Columbia’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees (IACUC). Comprised of scientists, veterinarians and non-scientist community representatives, the IACUC reviews and approves all animal research proposals to ensure the humane care and use of animals in all activities related to research. The IACUC determines what training researchers must undergo before research involving animals can begin. The University has two IACUCs, one dedicated to research conducted at CUMC and the other dedicated to research conducted on the Morningside campus. For complete compliance information, please visit the IACUC website.

 

Institute of Comparative Medicine

Ensuring the humane care of animals used in approved research is the mission of the Institute of Comparative Medicine. The ICM has certified veterinary specialists who direct the care and manage the health and welfare of research animals at Columbia.