Which statement about IACUC membership is true?

Which statement about IACUC membership is true?

• A. A veterinarian with lab animal medicine experience, a practicing scientist with animal research experience, a nonscientist, and an individual not affiliated with the institution
• B. The committee must include only scientists
• C. The committee must include only veterinarians
• D. The committee can be formed without any external representation

Answer: (A)

IACUC membership is built to ensure veterinary oversight, scientific review, and independent input from outside the institution. The statement reflects the required mix: a veterinarian with training in lab animal medicine provides animal welfare and clinical care oversight; a practicing scientist with experience in animal research brings domain expertise to evaluate study design and welfare implications; a nonscientist offers a non-technical perspective that helps consider public or community concerns; and an individual not affiliated with the institution ensures independence free from internal pressures. Together, these roles satisfy regulatory expectations for diverse, well-rounded committee composition. The other options aren’t true because limiting membership to scientists or to veterinarians excludes essential viewpoints, and forming the committee without external representation removes the independent input required.

IACUC membership is built to ensure veterinary oversight, scientific review, and independent input from outside the institution. The statement reflects the required mix: a veterinarian with training in lab animal medicine provides animal welfare and clinical care oversight; a practicing scientist with experience in animal research brings domain expertise to evaluate study design and welfare implications; a nonscientist offers a non-technical perspective that helps consider public or community concerns; and an individual not affiliated with the institution ensures independence free from internal pressures. Together, these roles satisfy regulatory expectations for diverse, well-rounded committee composition. The other options aren’t true because limiting membership to scientists or to veterinarians excludes essential viewpoints, and forming the committee without external representation removes the independent input required.