What duty is NOT assigned to the IO by the Animal Welfare Act Regulations?

The duty that is not assigned to the Institutional Official (IO) by the Animal Welfare Act Regulations is the responsibility to approve animal protocols without IACUC involvement. The IACUC (Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee) is specifically tasked with reviewing and approving animal use protocols to ensure compliance with ethical standards and regulatory requirements. The IACUC serves as the primary body to evaluate the scientific and ethical aspects of proposed research involving animals, and it plays a crucial role in the oversight process as mandated by both the Animal Welfare Act and the Public Health Service (PHS) Policy.

Therefore, the IO does not have the authority to bypass this oversight by approving protocols independently, as this would undermine the collaborative and protective role the IACUC plays in safeguarding animal welfare and ensuring compliance with federal regulations. A commitment to institutional accountability requires that the IACUC be involved in the approval process to enforce ethical practices in research involving animals.