Which organization uses the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (the Guide) as one of its standards for the accreditation of laboratory animal programs?

Which organization uses the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (the Guide) as one of its standards for the accreditation of laboratory animal programs?

• A. Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)
• B. Public Health Service (PHS)
• C. National Science Foundation (NSF)
• D. Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC)

Answer: (D)

The Guide sets the standard for humane care and use of laboratory animals and is used by organizations that evaluate and recognize institutions for meeting those standards. AAALAC International is the accrediting body that visits institutions, reviews their animal care and use programs, facilities, and training against the Guide and other standards, and grants accreditation when they meet or exceed those standards. This accreditation is voluntary and signals a program’s commitment to high-quality animal care. The IACUC is the committee within institutions that oversees compliance with the Guide and regulations; it does not provide accreditation. PHS policy requires IACUC oversight for funded institutions, but it does not accredit programs, and NSF does not perform accreditation of laboratory animal care programs. So the organization that uses the Guide as part of its accreditation standards is AAALAC International.

The Guide sets the standard for humane care and use of laboratory animals and is used by organizations that evaluate and recognize institutions for meeting those standards. AAALAC International is the accrediting body that visits institutions, reviews their animal care and use programs, facilities, and training against the Guide and other standards, and grants accreditation when they meet or exceed those standards. This accreditation is voluntary and signals a program’s commitment to high-quality animal care. The IACUC is the committee within institutions that oversees compliance with the Guide and regulations; it does not provide accreditation. PHS policy requires IACUC oversight for funded institutions, but it does not accredit programs, and NSF does not perform accreditation of laboratory animal care programs. So the organization that uses the Guide as part of its accreditation standards is AAALAC International.