Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC)

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Policy & Purpose

The existence of an Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) is required by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for research involving recombinant and synthetic nucleic acids. In addition to recombinant DNA/nucleic acid, the Utah State University (USU) IBC reviews, approves and oversees project proposals involving biohazardous materials (including BSL-2/3 infectious agents),  “Select Agents” (as stated in USU’s Policy 583.11: Safety and Health in Research), and dual use of research of concern (DURC) (required under the 2015 US Policy for Institutional Oversight of Life Sciences Dual Use Research of Concern).

The IBC shall coordinate its activities with the Office of the Vice President for Research (VPR), the Office of Research Integrity and Compliance (RIC), the Office of Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S), the Sponsored Programs Office (SPO), Institutional Review Board (IRB), Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), Chemical Hygiene Committee (CHC), Radiation Safety Committee (RSC), Risk Control Committee (RCC), and University Safety Committee, and other oversight committees of the university, to ensure that research carried out at the USU meets the high ethical standards of the institution. 

IBC meetings are generally open to the public. IBC meeting agenda and minutes are made available to the public upon request.