Which body reviews and approves animal procedures in research institutions?

• A. IACUC
• B. IRB
• C. NIH
• D. FDA

Answer: (A)

The main idea is who oversees animal welfare and approves how animals are used in research. The body responsible for reviewing and approving animal procedures is the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, or IACUC. This committee is established at research institutions to ensure that any use of animals is justified, that alternatives to animal use are considered, and that procedures minimize pain and distress. It reviews each animal-use protocol before work begins, ensures proper housing, care, and veterinary oversight, and monitors ongoing studies through inspections and compliance checks. This role is mandated by laws and policies such as the Animal Welfare Act and Public Health Service Policy. In contrast, an Institutional Review Board focuses on protecting human subjects, NIH is a major funder and policy maker, and the FDA regulates products and may oversee some aspects of animal research for safety but does not approve routine animal-use procedures within institutions.