A current perspective on the role and needs of IACUC unaffiliated members

To be considered properly constituted, an IACUC must include at least one member who is unaffiliated with the research institution. The unaffiliated member, whose role on the Committee is to represent the general public, is often a non-scientist with little or no previous exposure to the concepts described in the animal-use protocols he or she is charged with reviewing. Needless to say, this knowledge gap can present problems. The author, himself an unaffiliated IACUC member, provides advice for those who may choose to serve in this capacity and suggestions for the institutions that rely on their services.