Fiveable
Fiveable

Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)

Definition

The IACUC is a self-regulating entity that, according to U.S. federal law, must be established by institutions that use laboratory animals for research or instructional purposes to oversee and evaluate all aspects of the institution's animal care and use program.

Analogy

Think of the IACUC as a school principal but for animal research labs. Just like how a principal oversees everything happening in their school, ensuring students are treated fairly and education standards are met, the IACUC ensures ethical treatment of animals in research settings.

Related terms

Animal Ethics: The field of study concerned with how we should treat animals. It includes considerations about animal rights and welfare.

Humane Treatment: This refers to actions taken to minimize pain or distress in animals. It's like treating someone with kindness and respect.

Animal Rights: These are rights believed to belong to animals to live free from use in medical research, hunting, and other services to humans.

"Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)" appears in:

Practice Questions (1)

  • What is the purpose of the Institutional Review Board (IRB) and Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)?


© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.

AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.


© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.

AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.