ABOUT INSTITUTIONAL ANIMAL ETHICS COMMITTEE

As defined in “Breeding of and Experiments on Animals (Control and Supervision) Amendment Rules, 1998’ which were amended in 2001 and then in 2006, to regulate the experimentation on animals”, Institutional Animals Ethics Committee ( IAEC) means a body comprising of a group of persons recognized and registered by the Committee for the Purpose of Control and Supervision of Experiments on Animals ( CPCSEA ) in an establishment which is constituted and operated in accordance with procedures specified for the purpose by the Committee.

IAEC accords quality and consistency in review of research proposals and to prevent infliction of unnecessary pain & sufferings before, during and after experiments on animals, to follow the CPCSEA guidelines.

IAEC provides independent, competent and timely review of the ethics of proposed studies before the commencement of a study and regularly monitor the ongoing studies. IAEC reviews and approves all research proposals involving small laboratory animals such as rats,mice,hamsters,guinea pigs and rabbits with an objective to assure quality maintenance and welfare of animals used in pre- clinical research. For experiments on higher animals, the IAEC will forward its recommendation to the CPCSEA, New Delhi, for its approval process.

IAEC ensures that experiments shall be performed in every case by or under the supervision of a qualified person (Minimum qualification- Bachelor of Veterinary Science / Human Medicine or Post graduate in life sciences / Pharmaceutical sciences / Lab animal science) and under the responsibility of the Principle Investigator.

Every researcher must be trained enough in animal experimentation either during education or by training provided by competent trainers. IAEC reviews the proposals before start of the study as well as monitor the research throughout the study and after completion of the study through annual reports and final report.

The committee also ensures compliance with all regulatory requirements, applicable guidelines to ensure to adhere the principles of 3Rs viz Replacement, Reduction and Refinement. Simulation models, meta-analysis and in-vitro experimentation will be promoted.

IAEC in association of Central Animal House, Rajah Muthiah Medical College, Annamalai University will organize in-house training programs for fresh animal experimenters, without any previous experience of animal experimentation, before execution of any animal experiment to ensure the welfare and quality research.

Minor invasive procedures required as the part of the experimentation on feeding trials, breeding experiments and livestock management studies which require blood collection from the experimental animals to further study the clinical parameters may be approved by the IAEC, keeping in view the nature of experimentation, volume of blood to be collected, its frequency and general health conditions of the experimental animals. The other protocols related to the large animals required major invasive techniques must be sent to CPCSEA with recommendations of IAEC”. This is applicable for ICAR, ICMR, Veterinary and Agriculture Universities only. (Letter of CPCSEA F. No. 25/15/2008 – AWD, dated 21 st August, 2008)