What requirement must be fulfilled before an animal can be used in research?

Before an animal can be used in research, the approval of the study protocol by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) is a critical requirement. This approval process ensures that the proposed research complies with ethical standards, as well as federal regulations and institutional policies regarding the use of animals in research. The IACUC evaluates the potential risks and benefits of the research, assesses the animal welfare considerations, and ensures that alternative methods have been considered. By obtaining IACUC approval, researchers affirm their commitment to humane and responsible use of animals, which protects the welfare of the animals while supporting scientific integrity.

Other aspects such as risk assessments, assessments by the Institutional Official, and completion of training on research methods are important but do not specifically serve as prerequisites for the use of animals in research. While these tasks may be relevant to the overall research process and regulatory compliance, the explicit requirement that must be met prior to utilizing animals in research is securing IACUC approval.