What does the acronym IACUC stand for?

The acronym IACUC stands for Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. This body is crucial in overseeing and ensuring the ethical treatment and welfare of animals used in research and teaching. Specifically, IACUCs are responsible for reviewing research proposals involving animals, monitoring animal care and use practices, and ensuring compliance with regulations and standards. Their primary goal is to provide an ethical framework for the treatment of animals while balancing the needs of scientific research.

The correct answer highlights the importance of "Institutional" to indicate that these committees are set up by specific institutions, such as universities or research facilities, to address local policies, guidelines, and needs regarding animal care. This context differentiates it from other options, which may contain similar terms but do not accurately reflect the comprehensive role or structure of the committees as recognized in the field of animal research ethics.