What must IACUC do if an animal activity is found not to be following the approved protocol?

The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) has a critical role in ensuring that all animal research and activities are conducted in accordance with the approved protocols and adhere to ethical standards. When an animal activity is discovered to not follow these approved protocols, it is imperative for the IACUC to take immediate action to safeguard the welfare of the animals involved.

Suspending the activities involving those animals is the appropriate response because it allows for an investigation into the non-compliance issue and protects the animals from any potential harm that could arise from continuing the activities. This suspension is a necessary measure to ensure that any deviations from the protocol do not negatively impact the welfare of the animals, and it reaffirms the commitment of the institution to adhere to ethical research practices.

Other options, such as reporting to the public immediately or changing the experiment's objectives, do not address the immediate concern for animal welfare and compliance with the established protocols. Signing a compliance waiver is not a feasible solution, as such waivers would undermine the purpose of the IACUC, which is to ensure responsible care and use of animals in research.