ALAT Regulations and Compliance Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following is a primary responsibility of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)?
- Procuring research funding for the institution.
- Developing new surgical techniques for animal procedures.
- Reviewing and approving animal use protocols to ensure ethical and humane treatment. (Correct answer)
- Publishing the results of institutional research projects.
Correct answer: Reviewing and approving animal use protocols to ensure ethical and humane treatment.
The IACUC is federally mandated to oversee the animal care and use program, which includes the crucial responsibility of reviewing and approving research protocols involving animals. This ensures that all animal use is justified and conducted in a manner that is humane and compliant with regulations like the Animal Welfare Act and PHS Policy.
Question 2: An ALAT is working with a species covered under the Animal Welfare Act (AWA). According to the AWA, how long must individual animal records be maintained after the final disposition of the animal?
- Six months
- One year
- Three years (Correct answer)
- Five years
Correct answer: Three years
The Animal Welfare Act Regulations require that all records, including those for acquisition and disposition, must be maintained for a minimum of three years after the animal's final disposition (e.g., sale, euthanasia, or transfer).
Question 3: A technician is preparing to work with non-human primates and is informed they must participate in the facility's occupational health and safety program. Which component is MANDATORY under the guidelines of 'The Guide'?
- A daily written log of all activities performed.
- A formal risk assessment and provision of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). (Correct answer)
- Mandatory enrollment in a fitness program.
- Annual publication of a research paper.
Correct answer: A formal risk assessment and provision of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
The 'Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals' states that a robust occupational health and safety program is mandatory. This includes identifying potential hazards through risk assessment, providing appropriate training, and ensuring the use of necessary PPE to protect personnel from zoonotic diseases, allergens, and other workplace hazards.
Question 4: Which federal agency is responsible for conducting unannounced inspections of research facilities to ensure compliance with the Animal Welfare Act?
- National Institutes of Health (NIH)
- Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA, APHIS) (Correct answer)
Correct answer: United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA, APHIS)
The USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is the enforcing body for the Animal Welfare Act and its regulations. APHIS inspectors conduct regular, unannounced inspections of facilities with regulated species to ensure compliance with the established standards of care.
Question 5: An ALAT notices that an approved animal protocol has been modified by the research staff without getting approval for the change. What is the most appropriate first step for the ALAT to take?
- Continue with their duties as the change is likely minor.
- Immediately stop the procedure and contact the USDA.
- Discuss the observation with their direct supervisor or the facility manager. (Correct answer)
- Confront the research staff directly and demand they stop.
Correct answer: Discuss the observation with their direct supervisor or the facility manager.
Any deviation from an approved protocol is a serious compliance issue. The proper chain of command should be followed. The ALAT should report their observation to their immediate supervisor, who can then ensure the issue is appropriately addressed with the research staff and reported to the IACUC. This ensures proper documentation and corrective action.
Question 6: The 'Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals' is a foundational document for animal care programs. It is published by which organization?
- The American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS)
- The National Research Council (NRC) of the National Academies (Correct answer)
- The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
- The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
Correct answer: The National Research Council (NRC) of the National Academies
The 'Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals' is published by the National Research Council (NRC), which is part of The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. It serves as a primary reference on animal care and use for institutions worldwide.
ALAT Regulations and Compliance Questions and Answers 1
Which of the following is a primary responsibility of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)?