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Prelims: Current events of national and international importance | Health & Governance
National Conference on laboratory Animal welfare policies & best practices was organized by Committee for Control & Supervision of Experiments on animals (CCSEA) under Dept. of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD).
- Venue - New Delhi.
- Nodal Agency – Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying.
- CCSEA – Statutory Body Established under Section 15 (1) of the Prevention of cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act.1960
- Goal – To ensure that animals are not subject to suffering or pain before, during, or after experiments.
Functions:
- Compulsory Registration - Of establishment of Breeding or using various animals for breeding purpose.
- Institutional Animal Ethics Committees (IAEC) – Monitors every research facility.
- Approves Directly – Research protocols involving large animals (e.g primates, bovines, Canines), while IAECs Approve experiments on small animals (e.g Rodents)
- Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) - To be stablished for the care and management of laboratory animal facilities.
- 3Rs Principle – Conference emphasized the global framework for animal research:
- Replacement - Utilizing non-animal models (e.g., in-vitro cell cultures, computer simulations) where possible.
- Reduction - Methods that minimize the number of animals used per study while maintaining statistical significance.
- Refinement - Improving procedures and husbandry to enhance animal welfare and minimize distress.
Institutional Animal Ethics Committee (IAEC)
- Every registered establishment must to have IAEC.
- Composition - Includes scientists, a veterinarian, and a CCSEA Nominee (external member) to ensure impartial oversight.
- Role - Primary body responsible for local ethical review and ensuring Self-Awareness & Compliance.
- Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) - Also a statutory body under the PCA Act, 1960. It serves as an advisory body on animal welfare laws.
- Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) - Mentioned in the conference as a priority for vaccine development. India aims to control FMD to boost the dairy sector's export potential.
- DAHD- Responsible for matters related to livestock production, preservation, and protection from disease.
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