If an institutional official halts an animal activity, can they reinstate it without IACUC involvement?

The correct answer highlights an important guideline in the oversight of animal research within an institution. When an institutional official halts an animal activity, they have the authority to reinstate that activity under certain conditions, specifically if the IACUC has not already voted to suspend that activity.

This reflects the balance of responsibilities between the institutional official and the IACUC. If an IACUC has voted to suspend an activity, that indicates the IACUC has found significant concerns that merit halting the research. In such cases, the institutional official must respect that decision and cannot reinstate the activity without further IACUC consideration.

On the other hand, if the IACUC has not taken such action, it empowers the institutional official to make decisions about the activity's reinstatement without needing to go through the IACUC again, as they would still be operating within the bounds of safety and compliance standards until the IACUC officially determines otherwise. This ensures that there is a clear and efficient pathway for decision-making related to animal care and use, maintaining both accountability and flexibility within the administrative structure.