What role does the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) play in US research?

• A. It funds animal research projects.
• B. It conducts all animal surgeries in the national system.
• C. It oversees compliance with the Public Health Service Policy and approves institutions' assurances to conduct humane care and use of animals.
• D. It licenses veterinarians.

Answer: (C)

OLAW's role is to oversee compliance with the Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals and to approve institutions' assurances that they will conduct humane care and use of animals. Institutions that receive PHS funding must have an approved Assurance on file with OLAW, and OLAW reviews this Assurance to ensure proper animal welfare standards are in place, along with guiding policy interpretation and responding to inquiries about welfare practices. It does not fund research, conduct surgeries in the national system, or license veterinarians; those functions are handled by other entities (funding programs, clinical operations, and state professional licensing boards).