Final answer:
The Whole Foods - Animal Welfare Audit approach is reflective of U.S. animal welfare regulations, emphasizing both government oversight and self-regulation, as demonstrated by the AWA and PHS Policy, with the goal of protecting animal welfare in the context of biomedical research.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Whole Foods - Animal Welfare Audit approach is based on a spectrum of possible legal and regulatory frameworks concerning animal testing and welfare in biomedical research. The United States employs a moderate but evolving approach that blends strong government oversight with elements of self-regulation. Two main regulations, the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) and the Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (PHS Policy), govern the ethical treatment of animals in research. The AWA requires registration and consideration of alternatives to minimize discomfort to animals and covers a range of species, while the PHS Policy mandates the creation of an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) to review animal research proposals. Such measures are designed to ensure that animal welfare is respected in conjunction with the scientific and medical contributions of animal research.