Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) Practice Exam

Which type of member on the IACUC is described as "non-affiliated"?

1. A member with a veterinary background

2. A member who is not associated with the institution

3. A member who conducts research using animals

4. A member from an animal rights organization

The correct answer is: A member who is not associated with the institution

A non-affiliated member of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) is someone who is not involved with the institution in any capacity related to its research or animal care activities. This includes individuals who do not have a financial interest in the institution and are not part of its administration, faculty, or research staff. The purpose of having a non-affiliated member is to provide an independent perspective that can help ensure that animal welfare and ethical considerations are prioritized in the institution's animal research programs. This member contributes to the overall objectivity of the committee's functioning by offering viewpoints that are not influenced by the institution's agendas or needs. The other options describe members with specific affiliations or backgrounds that would not qualify as non-affiliated. Members with a veterinary background, those who conduct research, or those associated with animal rights organizations have vested interests that could bias their perspectives within the context of the IACUC.