Which regulations must Department of Defense (DoD) researchers adhere to?

Department of Defense (DoD) researchers must adhere to the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) and the Animal Welfare Regulations (AWR) because these are the primary federal laws that govern the treatment and welfare of animals used in research in the United States. The AWA establishes standards for the humane care and treatment of animals, including those used in research, teaching, and testing. The AWR provides specific regulations that implement the AWA, detailing how institutions must handle the care and welfare of animals, ensuring compliance with ethical standards.

While other options may be relevant to research environments, they do not serve as the foundational legal framework governing animal use for DoD researchers. For example, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Guidelines primarily apply to NIH-funded research and may not encompass all DoD research activities. Similarly, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations focus largely on the safety and efficacy of drugs and medical devices rather than animal welfare standards. International Animal Care Standards, while promoting ethical treatment of animals globally, do not have the enforceable legal status that AWA and AWR do within the context of U.S. federal law. Thus, adherence to the AWA and AWR is critical for DoD researchers to comply with national standards for animal