What does IACUC stand for?

• A. Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee
• B. International Animal Care and Use Council
• C. Institute for Animal Care and Use Committee
• D. Institutional Animal Care and Use Coalition

Answer: (A)

IACUC stands for Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. This panel is the internal body at a research institution that oversees all aspects of animal care and use to ensure humane treatment and compliance with laws and guidelines. It reviews proposed experiments involving animals, checks that pain and distress are minimized, confirms that appropriate veterinary care and housing are in place, and verifies that personnel are properly trained. It also conducts regular facility inspections and ensures that alternatives to animal use are considered when possible.

Why this form is the best fit: the word “Institutional” signals that the committee operates within a specific organization, rather than being international, a standalone institute, or a Coalition. “Animal Care and Use” precisely describes the focus on how animals are cared for and used in research settings, and “Committee” reflects that it is a panel of people who make review and approval decisions. The other phrasings don’t align with how this oversight body is defined and named in standard regulatory practice.