Guidelines on the Use of Genetically Altered Animals

These guidelines provide information about animal care and welfare issues that specifically evolve from the use of genetically altered (e.g., transgenic) animals for research, teaching, or other purposes at Texas A&M University. These guidelines should be considered in addition to the standard requirements and assurances associated with completing the Animal Use Protocol (AUP) form used by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). Investigators are referred to a paper by M.B. Dennis in Lab Animal 29:34, 2000 for a more comprehensive discussion of issues related to the use of genetically-altered animals.

The IACUC recognizes three general categories of research studies in which genetically altered animals are used:

1. Those in which the animals are obtained from commercial vendors.
2. Those in which the animals are not commercially available, but are obtained from other researchers, universities, or institutes.
3. Those in which genetic alterations are induced at Texas A&M.

Research involving genetically altered animals obtained as in either category 2 or 3 above must be approved by the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC). For research using animals obtained through category 1, it is not necessary to obtain IBC approval, but an AUP must still be submitted.

Regardless of the source of the animals, there are several general guidelines investigators should follow in using genetically altered animals:

1. Appropriate containment of these animals must be assured to avoid unintended sexual contact with other animals or possible transfer of either altered genetic material or viral vectors to human personnel or other animals.
2. When studies using these animals are completed, the animals should not be transferred or donated to zoos or other shelters as food for other animals or for other purposes. Normally the only transfer of genetically altered animals will be to other investigators who can guarantee the same level of care and containment required of investigators at Texas A&M. The Animal Transfer Form must identify animals as genetically altered.
3. When a genetically altered strain is to be produced here at Texas A&M, the procedures must be reviewed and approved by the IBC, including those that will be used in the analysis of the resulting phenotypes.
4. The investigator should consider any adverse clinical effects that might result from the genetic manipulation, understanding that adverse effects can not always be anticipated.
5. Close surveillance of genetically altered animals is critical. When the strain is developed at Texas A&M, this surveillance should include necropsy of some representative animals. The results of this surveillance should be shared among the investigators, animal care personnel, and the IACUC.  It is the investigator's responsibility to monitor these animals and communicate with the veterinary staff and the IACUC.