Whom does the IACUC make recommendations about the animal program to?

The IACUC, or Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, is responsible for oversight of animal care and use in research and education settings. One of its critical roles involves evaluating and providing recommendations regarding the institution's animal program.

The Institutional Official is the designated individual within an institution who has the authority to make decisions regarding the animal program and is often responsible for ensuring compliance with regulatory and ethical standards. The IACUC's recommendations are crucial for the Institutional Official in making informed decisions about program improvements, resource allocations, and policy updates, ensuring the institution maintains high standards of animal welfare and compliance with applicable laws and guidelines.

In contrast, while the Chief Executive Officer, the Attending Veterinarian, and the Department of Agriculture are all involved in animal program oversight to varying degrees, they do not serve as the primary recipients of the IACUC's recommendations. The CEO and Department of Agriculture may have broader operational or regulatory roles, while the Attending Veterinarian focuses on the health and welfare of the animals, rather than the overall recommendations from the IACUC.