Which committee is involved in the oversight of animal research?

The IACUC, or Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, is specifically tasked with overseeing animal research to ensure ethical and humane treatment of animals in research settings. This committee is responsible for reviewing research protocols involving animals, ensuring that researchers comply with federal regulations and institutional policies. The IACUC evaluates the necessity of using animals, assesses the proposed methods to minimize pain and distress, and ensures that there is a clear justification for the use of animal subjects in research.

This oversight is critical in maintaining ethical standards in scientific research, protecting the welfare of laboratory animals, and ensuring that research complies with relevant laws and regulations related to animal care. In contrast, the other committees and organizations mentioned serve different roles. The IRB (Institutional Review Board) primarily focuses on human subjects in research, while the NIH (National Institutes of Health) and the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) are responsible for broader regulatory oversight regarding funding, health research, and drug approval processes, rather than the specific oversight of animal research protocols.