Final answer:
Studies involving human subjects require approval from an Institutional Review Board (IRB), while studies involving animals require approval from an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). The IRB focuses on ethical treatment and informed consent for humans, and the IACUC ensures humane treatment of animals according to federal regulations.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a researcher is planning to conduct a study with humans, the study must first be approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB). However, if the researcher wants to conduct a study with animals, the study must be approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). The IRB is responsible for ensuring that human research participants are treated ethically and that their safety is paramount. For research involving animals, the IACUC oversees the humane treatment of animal subjects and conducts regular inspections of animal facilities.
Key protections for human participants include minimizing risks and obtaining informed consent. Researchers must clearly explain the risks to participants, who must give consent in writing. In the case of animal research, it must be justified, humane, and meet federal regulations, including the Animal Welfare Act and the Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.