What must be done before vertebrate animal studies can begin?*1 pointa) Approval from a local veterinarianb) Approval from the School or RRI IRBc) Completion of a risk assessment formd) Approval from an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee

Before vertebrate animal studies can begin, approval from an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) must be obtained. The IACUC is a self-regulating entity that, according to U.S. federal law, must be established by institutions that use laboratory animals for research or instructional purposes to oversee and evaluate all aspects of the institution's animal care and use program. Here are the steps:

1. Prepare a detailed research plan: This should include the type and number of animals to be used, the procedures to be performed on the animals, the substances to be administered to the animals, and the duration of the study.

2. Submit the research plan to the IACUC: The IACUC will review the research plan to ensure that the proposed use of animals is appropriate and humane.

3. Respond to any IACUC concerns: If the IACUC has any concerns about the research plan, they will communicate these to the researcher, who must then address them.

4. Obtain IACUC approval: Once the IACUC is satisfied that the research plan is appropriate and humane, they will approve it. Only then can the vertebrate animal studies begin.

Note: While approval from a local veterinarian, completion of a risk assessment form, or approval from the School or RRI IRB may be part of the process in some institutions, the key requirement across the board is approval from an IACUC.