What responsibility does the attending veterinarian have in an IACUC?

• A. Conducting all animal experiments
• B. Providing veterinary oversight and guidance on animal care and use
• C. Reviewing grant proposals for animal research
• D. Training researchers on animal handling

Answer: (B)

The attending veterinarian plays a crucial role in ensuring the health and welfare of animals used in research as part of an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). Their primary responsibility is to provide veterinary oversight and guidance on animal care and use. This involves monitoring the well-being of the animals, ensuring that they receive proper veterinary care, and advising on the implementation of humane animal care practices.

This responsibility is essential as it helps ensure compliance with federal regulations and ethical standards, promoting the welfare of the animals involved in research. The attending veterinarian also collaborates with researchers and IACUC members to develop protocols that minimize pain and distress in animals, ensuring that research is conducted under the highest ethical standards.

The other options do not accurately represent the specific role of the attending veterinarian. Conducting animal experiments is typically the responsibility of the researchers, while reviewing grant proposals falls under the purview of the IACUC rather than the veterinarian. Training researchers on animal handling is also important, but it is often part of broader institutional training programs, rather than a primary responsibility of the attending veterinarian. Therefore, the correct answer reflects the veterinarian’s key role in overseeing animal welfare and guiding ethical research practices.