NASA Procedural Requirements

NPR 8910.1D Effective Date: February 09, 2022 Expiration Date: February 09, 2027

Subject: Care and Use of Animals

Responsible Office: Office of the Chief Health & Medical Officer

Chapter 3. Criteria for IACUC Approval

3.1 Introduction

NASA makes every effort to comply with all applicable Federal, state, and local animal welfare laws and regulations, policies, and guidelines. However, due to the nature of spaceflight, it may not be possible to meet some requirements. In these cases, the IACUC reviews the justification for the “departure” from the requirement, and if satisfactory, approves the departure and reports it to the IO via the semi-annual Program Review and Facility Inspection report as allowed by the 9 CFR Ch. I, Subch. A, Pts. 1-3 and the PHS Policy. This chapter addresses spaceflight unique IACUC criteria.

3.2 Criteria for Research Sponsored or Funded by NASA, Conducted in NASA Facilities/Spacecraft, or Using NASA Resources

3.2.1 All research, to the greatest extent possible, will comply with all applicable Federal, state, and local animal welfare laws and regulations, policies, and guidelines, to ensure animal welfare. When not possible, the IACUC will review the specific scientific justification for the departure from the requirement, and if satisfactory, may approve the departure.

3.2.2 All research will be conducted in accordance with Section 4.6, Photo Documentation Policy, to ensure animal health and welfare.

3.2.3 Inflight Research, to include ground controls, will be conducted in accordance with DOC XXX, NASA Standard Housing Guidelines for ISS, to ensure animal welfare unless a scientifically justified departure from the requirements is approved by the Flight IACUC.

3.2.4 Inflight Research will be subject to a bioethical review as part of the Flight IACUC review.

3.3 Criteria for Research Sponsored or Funded by International Partners, Conducted at NASA Facilities/Spacecraft, or Using NASA Resources

Note: The term International Partner is being used in a broad sense, A non-U.S. entity (government, non-government, academic, commercial, etc) with whom NASA collaborates as per NPD 1050.7, vs the more strict definition used for the International Space Station, NASA’s partners; CSA, ESA, JAXA, and Roscosmos.

3.3.1 Research will follow requirements stated in this NPR.

3.3.2 In compliance with NPD 1050.7, Authority to Enter into Partnership Agreements, research that is sponsored or funded by an International Partner and that is conducted at a NASA facility or on NASA spacecraft or using NASA resources, will be documented and affirmed in a legally binding agreement between NASA and the International Partner, which is negotiated, drafted, and finalized by the Office of International and Interagency Relations (OIIR).

3.4 Criteria for Research Sponsored or Funded by NASA, Conducted in International Partner Facilities/Spacecraft, or Using International Partner Resources

3.4.1 Research will, to the greatest extent possible, follow requirements stated in this policy. As this research is conducted internationally, the laws and regulations of the country where the activities occur will also be followed. The minimum requirement should be the International Guiding Principles for Biomedical Research Involving Animals.

3.4.2 Unless departures have been scientifically justified and approved by the IACUC or equivalent oversight committee of the Agency responsible for the funded PI, NASA requires compliance with The Guide.

Note: Not all International Partners have an IACUC per se. For Example, Russia has a bioethical committee that reviews human and animal research which serves the same function as an IRB and IACUC.

3.4.3 In compliance with NPD 1050.7, research that is sponsored or funded by NASA and that is conducted at an International Partner facility or on International Partner spacecraft or using International Partner resources, will be documented and affirmed in a legally binding agreement between NASA and the International Partner, which is negotiated, drafted, and finalized by the OIIR.

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