Final answer:
If unresolved issues of animal misuse persist after consulting a supervisor, concerns should be addressed to the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), which is responsible for ensuring compliance with NIH guidelines and humane treatment of animals in research.
Step-by-step explanation:
If an incident of animal misuse is not resolved after contacting your supervisor, the appropriate next step would be to submit your concerns to Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). The IACUC oversees the use of animals in research and educational facilities, ensuring that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) guidelines for animal care and usage are strictly adhered to. This committee includes a variety of members such as researchers, institutional administrators, veterinarians, and at least one public member with no affiliation to the institution. Their responsibilities include not only reviewing research proposals to ensure humane treatment of animals but also conducting regular inspections to monitor compliance with approved protocols.
Facilities that conduct animal research and receive federal funding are mandated by the Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (PHS Policy) to have an IACUC. This policy requires that the committee rigorously evaluates research proposals to ensure that animals are used judiciously, that unnecessary pain and distress are minimized, and that alternative methods are considered wherever possible. In the context of biology and ethical research standards, the IACUC plays a pivotal role in safeguarding animal welfare in research environments.