What requirement does the Animal Welfare Act place on multiple survival surgery?

The correct statement highlights that multiple survival surgeries can indeed be conducted, provided that such procedures are scientifically justified. The Animal Welfare Act recognizes that, in certain research contexts, multiple surgeries may be necessary to achieve valid scientific outcomes. However, researchers must demonstrate a clear scientific rationale for the necessity of each surgery to ensure that the potential benefits outweigh any distress or harm to the animals involved. This requirement emphasizes the ethical obligation of investigators to minimize animal suffering while pursuing valid research objectives.

The other statements do not accurately reflect the provisions of the Animal Welfare Act regarding multiple survival surgeries. For example, the requirement for USDA approval on a case-by-case basis is not mandated for every instance of multiple surgeries, as scientific justification suffices for institutional review by the IACUC. The assertion that there is a maximum of three surgeries allowed is also incorrect, as the Act does not stipulate a specific numerical limit; rather, it requires justification. Lastly, while the Act does not prohibit multiple survival surgeries outright, it does emphasize the importance of justification, contrary to the absolute stance that they are never permitted.