Final version of the updated Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals now available

It's here! The Institute for Laboratory Animal Research (ILAR) has announced the publication of the final version of the 8th Edition of the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. This is the primary reference used by institutions who are engaged in the humane treatment of animals in research, testing, and teaching. The 2010 edition replaces the Guide, which was last updated in 1996, and includes recently published data, scientific principles, and expert opinion to recommend practices for responsible laboratory animal use.

Go to http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12910 to view and/or purchase a copy.

Updates to the OHRP website

The Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP) has updated its website on January 2, 2011. The new site has the content from the original site but is now "revised and streamlined." Go to http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp.

HARPO will be closed

The Human and Animal Research Protections Office will be closed during UMBC’s winter break from December 23, 2010 through January 2, 2011, and will reopen on January 3, 2011.

Internet Research Ethics

The Internet Research Ethics site hosts a library, research center, and common area for many things related to Internet research.

The mission of this project is to "push the boundaries of traditional research ethics issues, allowing transformative models for managing internet research. It exists to provide sound resources, a solidified research base, and expert advice as more researchers and more IRBs/ethics boards struggle with the complexities of Internet research ethics."

See more at:http://internetresearchethics.org/

When is an institution considered to be “engaged in research”?

OHRP clarifies this in a revision to the frequently asked question "Regarding Engagement in Research". The revised FAQ answer is found at http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/FWAfaq.html#q4

Reminders about existing Just-in-Time requirements - IRB and IACUC

As noted in the revised policy on responsibilities for Just-in-Time submissions (NOT-OD-10-120), several pieces of a grant application are not required at the time the application. This is information will be requested later in the review cycle. Related to IRB and IACUC protocols:

IACUC Approval Date: If the proposed project involves research using live vertebrate animals, the verification date of IACUC approval along with any IACUC-imposed changes must be submitted. Pending or out-of-date approvals are not acceptable.

IRB Approval Date: If the proposed project involves human subjects research, the certification date of IRB review and approval must be submitted. Pending or out-of-date approvals are not acceptable.

Human Subjects Education: If the proposed project involves human subjects research, certification that any person identified as senior/key personnel involved in human subjects research has completed an education program in the protection of human subjects must be submitted.
(http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-10-120.html)

Grant related Vertebrate Animal Section (VAS) information

The NIH has just published further clarification on how the Vertebrate Animal Section (VAS) of applications for grants and cooperative agreements is evaluated as part of the peer review process and is considered as part of the overall scoring. An important detail to consider when designing and writing proposals for funding. See http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-10-027.html for more information.