Which statement reflects the role of the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals in relation to federal policies?

• A. It establishes mandatory penalties for noncompliance.
• B. It lists all IACUC members and institutional officials.
• C. It provides the accepted standards of care and use; adherence is expected under the PHS Policy and aligns with AWA/regulatory expectations.
• D. It governs only nonclinical toxicology studies.

Answer: (C)

The Guide provides the accepted standards of care and use for laboratory animals and serves as the reference institutions use to meet federal requirements. When federal policies like the PHS Policy require humane care and use, they expect adherence to the standards outlined in the Guide, and those standards align with the Animal Welfare Act and related regulations. This connection helps shape IACUC review, training, facility operations, and protocol development to ensure welfare and compliance. It isn’t a penalties document, it doesn’t list IACUC members, and its scope isn’t limited to nonclinical toxicology studies.