The appointment and maintenance of an Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) is a requirement of which organization?

The Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) is primarily governed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) guidelines. The NIH requires institutions receiving funding for research involving recombinant DNA or synthetic nucleic acid molecules to establish and maintain an IBC. This committee is tasked with overseeing practices that pertain to the safe conduct of research and to ensure that any potential risks associated with biological materials are adequately managed. The establishment of the IBC is a reflection of the NIH's commitment to promoting safe practices in genetic research, ensuring compliance with federal regulations, and protecting public health and the environment.

While other organizations like the EPA, CDC, and FDA have roles in biosafety regulations and public health, the NIH explicitly mandates the formation of IBCs, making it the correct answer in this context.