Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) Practice Exam

What factors help determine which regulations apply to a specific research study involving animals?

1. The number of animals used and their housing conditions

2. The species of animals used and the funding sources

3. The location of the research facility and its accreditation status

4. The type of research conducted and the institution’s reputation

The correct answer is: The species of animals used and the funding sources

The selection of the species of animals used in a research study, along with the funding sources, plays a critical role in determining which regulations apply. Different species may be subject to varying degrees of regulatory oversight based on specific guidelines established by governmental and institutional frameworks. For instance, certain species may be protected under wildlife regulations, humane treatment laws, or specific guidelines that limit their use in research. Additionally, the funding sources can influence the regulatory landscape. Research projects funded by government entities, such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) or the National Science Foundation (NSF), often must comply with additional sets of regulations and ethical guidelines that dictate how animals are used in studies. This means the source of funding can create different obligations for compliance, depending on whether the funding is from federal, state, or private entities. The other options although containing relevant factors, do not directly address the intertwining of species and funding with regulatory implications as strongly as this choice does. For example, the number of animals and their housing conditions, while important for welfare considerations, do not inherently dictate which regulations apply. Similarly, the research facility’s location and accreditation or the type of research conducted are relevant but secondary in nature to species choice and funding sources.