Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) Practice Exam

Who must approve euthanasia methods deemed "conditionally acceptable" by the AVMA?

1. Facility Manager

2. Chief Veterinarian

3. IACUC

4. Research Scientist

The correct answer is: IACUC

The approval of euthanasia methods that are classified as "conditionally acceptable" by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) requires oversight to ensure compliance with ethical and regulatory standards. The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) plays a crucial role in this process. This committee is responsible for reviewing and approving research protocols to ensure they uphold humane treatment of animals. Thus, in the context of euthanasia methods, IACUC approval ensures that these methods align with institutional policies and ethical considerations. The committee’s oversight promotes welfare and humane treatment in research involving animals, making their approval fundamental for any conditionally acceptable methods. Other roles, such as the facility manager, chief veterinarian, or research scientist, play their own important parts in the institutional framework, but the IACUC serves as the primary body accountable for reviewing and approving such ethical standards and practices.