Which federal policy requires that a facility's research program have an IACUC?

The requirement for a facility's research program to have an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) is specifically outlined in the Public Health Service (PHS) Policy. This policy establishes guidelines for the humane and ethical treatment of animals used in research funded by the PHS and mandates that institutions receiving PHS funds have an IACUC to oversee animal care and use.

The IACUC is responsible for reviewing research proposals to ensure that the use of animals is justified, that pain and distress are minimized, and that alternatives to animal use are considered. The PHS Policy emphasizes the importance of ethical standards in research practices involving animals, making the existence of an IACUC essential for compliance with federal funding regulations.

While the Animal Welfare Act Regulations also impose requirements for the care and use of laboratory animals, the explicit mandate for an IACUC is found in the PHS Policy. Other options, like the Environmental Protection Agency Standards and National Institutes of Health Guidelines, do not specifically focus on the requirement for an IACUC in the same way that PHS Policy does, making it crucial for research facilities that receive PHS funding to adhere to these guidelines.