Introduction
Many materials commonly use for stable isotope analysis may require permits, special handling, and or consultaiton prior to acceptance. The information below is intended as a reference only. If you have any questions please reach out to the SIELO Director (stableisotopes@ucmerced.edu) for guidance.
Analysis of Foreign Wildlife, Plants, and Soils
Many wildlife, plant, and soil samples collected and shipped from outside the Continental United States of America (foreign or Alaska & Hawaii) require import permits. The Stable Isotope Ecosystem Laboratory cannot accept direct shipment of wildlife or other restricted specimens from outside the United States.
Arranging for the import of specimens, obtaining the necessary permits, declaration of shipments to the USA Fish and Wildlife Service, and other requirements are the sole responsibility of the client. Below is a list of useful, but not exhaustive resources to determine if permits are needed. The Stable Isotope Ecosystem Laboratory may request copies of permits before accepting any restricted specimens.
- USA Fish & Wildlife Declaration Form
- Endangered Species Permits
- Marine Mammal Protection Act Permits
- Migratory Bird Permits
- USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
- CITES
Analysis of Other Biological Materials
Any samples with potential biosafety hazards, including unfixed human or primate samples, and any samples with the potential to contain pathogenic material, including bacteria, viruses, prions, toxins, or recombinant DNA, must be reviewed by an Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC). The SIELO has the right to request an IBC-approved Biological Use Authorization (BUA) to verify compliance and ensure proper sample handling. The SIELO cannot accept any samples that have been determined to require Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2), or higher, containment procedures by an IBC.
Analysis of Human Tissues, Artifacts and other Cultural Objects
Human tissues of any kind will not be accepted without prior consultation and approval. Depending on provenance and age (e.g., modern, historic, archaeological) several types of authorization may be required. Modern human tissues may require Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval and / or Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) anonymization of protected health information.
Historic and archaeological human tissues, artifacts, and other cultural objects will not be accepted without prior consultation. Depending on the provenance, consultation with the UC Merced NAGPRA officer may be required.
Analysis of Controlled Substances
The Stable Isotope Ecosystem Laboratory does not accept controlled substances for analysis.
