Which regulatory body does NOT mandate a scientific member on the IACUC?

The correct answer is that the regulatory body that does not mandate a scientific member on the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) is the USDA - APHIS. According to the Animal Welfare Act (AWA), administered by the USDA, there is no specific requirement for the inclusion of a scientific member on the IACUC. The AWA outlines the composition and functions of the IACUC, focusing on ensuring compliance with animal welfare standards but does not explicitly mandate the presence of a member with scientific qualifications.

In contrast, the Public Health Service (PHS) policy requires institutions to establish IACUCs that include at least one member with scientific expertise, as this ensures that the committee has the necessary knowledge to review research protocols effectively. The Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW), which oversees the PHS policy, also supports this requirement, emphasizing the importance of scientific input in ethical review processes.

The Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) also encourages the presence of qualified scientific members as part of its accreditation standards, bolstering the integrity and depth of the IACUC's reviews.

Thus, while the USDA - APHIS outlines the general responsibilities of IACUCs, it does not