If multiple designated reviewers are involved and one calls for a full committee review, what is the outcome?

When multiple designated reviewers are involved in the review process of a protocol, their responsibility is to assess whether the protocol meets the necessary standards for animal welfare and regulatory compliance. If one designated reviewer calls for a full committee review, it indicates that there is a concern or need for a more thorough examination of the protocol that cannot be sufficiently addressed through the designated review process alone.

In this context, the outcome is that the protocol will proceed to a full committee review. This full review allows all members of the IACUC to engage with the proposal, provide their insights, address any issues, and come to a collective decision. This step is critical for ensuring that all concerns are adequately addressed and that the review process is robust and transparent.

The other options do not accurately reflect the procedural standards. Moving forward without changes or automatic rejection of the protocol does not align with the intention of calling for a full committee review, which serves to increase scrutiny and oversight. Additionally, while decisions may ultimately be made by majority vote in the full committee, the primary outcome of initiating a full committee review is the necessity of further evaluation of the protocol.