Composition

The Institutional Research and Safety Committee shall consist of no fewer than nine members and no more than 15 members with the following representation:

• At least two public members with no affiliation with KUMC other than representation on the IRSC. They should represent the interest of the surrounding community with respect to health and protection of the environment (e.g., officials of state or local public health or environmental protection agencies, members of other local governmental bodies or persons active in medical, occupational health or environmental concerns in the community);
• At least one person holding an M.D. degree;
• At least one person holding a J.D. degree;
• At least one representative from the laboratory technical staff;
• Director of Environment, Health and Safety or designee;
• Director of Animal Resources Facility for expertise in animal containment principles;
• The Biological Safety Office (BSL) shall be a mandatory member of the committee when recombinant DNA research is being done at the B3 and B4 containment levels, or on Large Scale (greater than 10 liters), as defined in the National Institutes of Health guidelines; and
• The remaining members should be selected for their expertise in biochemistry, epidemiology, virology, microbiology, or pharmacology. Collectively, the committee should have experience and expertise in recombinant DNA technology and the capability to assess the safety of recombinant DNA research and to identify any potential risk to public health or the environment.

Scientists or individuals with special knowledge in laboratory safety or engineering principles may be invited to serve as consultants to the committee when technical aspects of project proposals are beyond the expertise of the committee members. Such consultants do not vote.