Which facilities must be approved and monitored by the IACUC?

Which facilities must be approved and monitored by the IACUC?

• A. Only imaging
• B. Surgery, barriers, imaging, irradiation, containment, behavioral, aquatic housing
• C. Only surgery
• D. Only containment

Answer: (B)

All facilities where live vertebrate animals are housed or used for procedures must be approved and monitored by the IACUC. This ensures humane care, proper handling, and compliance with animal welfare regulations across the full range of environments where animals may be affected. That includes surgical suites, imaging facilities, irradiation areas, containment laboratories, behavioral testing rooms, aquatic housing, and the general housing or barrier facilities where animals are kept. Each of these areas involves different welfare, safety, and ethical considerations—from anesthesia and analgesia during procedures to biosafety and housing standards—so comprehensive oversight covers all of them. Narrower options that focus on only one area fail to address the breadth of locations under IACUC authority.

All facilities where live vertebrate animals are housed or used for procedures must be approved and monitored by the IACUC. This ensures humane care, proper handling, and compliance with animal welfare regulations across the full range of environments where animals may be affected. That includes surgical suites, imaging facilities, irradiation areas, containment laboratories, behavioral testing rooms, aquatic housing, and the general housing or barrier facilities where animals are kept. Each of these areas involves different welfare, safety, and ethical considerations—from anesthesia and analgesia during procedures to biosafety and housing standards—so comprehensive oversight covers all of them. Narrower options that focus on only one area fail to address the breadth of locations under IACUC authority.