Why is IBC approval required for the use of transgenic animals?
• The NIH Guidelines do not require approval for the use of transgenics, but WSU requires registration of transgenic animals (knock-out, knock-in), or plants, in order to evaluate potential health or environmental hazards associated with these genetically modified materials. The questions posed on the IBC Transgenic Animal Form are meant to assess if these animals: • exhibit possible disease resistance (or are prone to infections more easily than normal); • contribute to the expansion of the host range of an infectious agent, or; • present any unexpected hazard to animal handlers or research staff, especially if they’re exposed to a hazardous biological, chemical, or radioactive agent.
