Glossary and Resources

AAALAC - Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International. Private, nonprofit organization that promotes the humane treatment of animals in science through voluntary accreditation and assessment programs.

AALAS - American Association for Laboratory Animal Science. Organization of laboratory animal technicians, veterinarians, and other professionals that serves society through education and the advancement of responsible laboratory animal care and use.

ACLAM - American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine. Organization that establishes standards for board certification in the veterinary medical specialty of laboratory animal medicine. Board certified veterinarians are known as ACLAM Diplomates.

AHRQ - Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Agency of the Public Health Service charged with improving the quality, safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of health care in America.

APHIS - Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Component of the USDA that administers the Animal Welfare Act. Within APHIS, Animal Care (AC) is the program that is responsible for ensuring compliance with the Animal Welfare Regulations.

AVMA - American Veterinary Medical Association. Professional organization of veterinarians.

AWA - Animal Welfare Act. Federal law regulating the use, sale, and handling of animals.

AWIC - Animal Welfare Information Center. Part of the USDA National Agricultural Library, AWIC provides information and publications on many aspects of animal welfare and alternatives to the use of animals.

Animal Welfare Regulations - USDA regulations that implement the Animal Welfare Act.

CDC - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Agency of the Public Health Service dedicated to protecting health and promoting quality of life through the prevention and control of disease, injury, and disability.

FDA - Food and Drug Administration. Agency of the Public Health Service responsible for protecting the public health by assuring the safety, efficacy and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, medical devices, our nation's food supply, cosmetics, and products that emit radiation.

FOIA - Freedom of Information Act. Statute allowing the public access to certain information on file in Federal agencies.

Guide - Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals: Eighth Edition. Manual of standards for animal care and use developed under the auspices of the Institute for Laboratory Animal Research of the National Academy of Sciences.

Health Research Extension Act of 1985 - Federal law that mandates the PHS Policy.

HRSA - Health Resources and Services Administration. Agency of the Public Health Service for improving access to health care services for people who are uninsured, isolated or medically vulnerable.

IACUC - Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. Committee charged with oversight of an institution's animal care and use program. (See Tutorial for PHS Policy, The IACUC)

IHS - Indian Health Service. Agency of the Public Health Service providing healthcare to Native American and Alaskan Native peoples.

ILAR - Institute for Laboratory Animal Research. Component of the National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences, responsible for developing and disseminating information on humane care and appropriate use of animals.

IRAC - Interagency Research Animal Committee. Author of U.S. Government Principles for the Utilization and Care of Vertebrate Animals Used in Testing, Research, and Training and the focal point for coordinating Federal policies involving all animal species needed for biomedical research and testing, especially their care, use, and conservation.

NIH - National Institutes of Health. Agency of the Public Health Service charged to seek fundamental knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems and the application of that knowledge to enhance health, lengthen life, and reduce the burdens of illness and disability.

OLAW - Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare. NIH office with responsibility for implementation of the PHS Policy.

OPRR - Office for Protection from Research Risks. The OPRR Division of Animal Welfare was renamed the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare in March, 2000.

PHS - Public Health Service. Component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that includes eight different agencies.

PHS Policy - PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. Document that implements the Health Research Extension Act of 1985, and governs activities involving animals conducted or supported by PHS agencies.

Principles - U.S. Government Principles for the Utilization and Care of Vertebrate Animals Used in Testing, Research, and Training. Nine principles that provide a foundation for humane care and use of animals in the United States.

SAMHSA - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Agency of the Public Health Service that works to improve the quality and availability of substance abuse prevention, alcohol and drug addiction treatment, and mental health services.

USDA - United States Department of Agriculture. Federal agency responsible for implementation and enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act.