Animal Care & Ethics Committee

Animal research has played a vital role in the development of almost every medical treatment used today. From antibiotics and blood transfusions to cutting-edge cancer drugs, much of the medical achievements of the past century have arisen from animal studies. Research using animals continues to make vital contributions to the understanding and treatment of many major health problems we face.

At the DDI, we are committed to the highest standards of research. We strongly endorse the principles of the “three Rs”, which entails taking every effort to replace the use of live animals, reduce the number of animals being used, and refine procedures to ensure degree of suffering is reduced to a minimum.

If a scientist believes that animal research is the only way to answer an important scientific question, they must first apply for internal ethical approval from the ACEC. No scientific procedure can be undertaken if there are non-animal alternatives available to answer the same question or if it may cause unnecessary harm to the animals. The ACEC is responsible for setting, maintaining, and overseeing the implementation of high standards for animal care and ethics in research throughout DDI. This committee ensures that all DDI projects involving the use of animals are scrutinized prior to their commencement.

Submission, Review, and Approval

Submission
Review
Approval

Occupational Health Program

The Guide for the Care and Use of Animals (Institute of Laboratory Animal Resources, National Research Council) states “An occupational health program is mandatory for personnel who work in laboratory animal facilities or have substantial animal contact.”

All persons who have contact with animals, unfixed animal tissue, or infectious organisms must be made aware of the potential hazards of working with animals and of the procedures available at Dasman Diabetes Institute to prevent and mitigate such hazards.

It is the responsibility of the Principal Investigator (PI) of each Institutional Animal Care and Ethics Committee (ACEC) approved protocol to assure the ACEC that all workers under their supervision (co-investigators, staff, students, and volunteers) who have contact with animals have been informed of the potential dangers involved and are aware of the procedures available to prevent and ameliorate such hazards. Completing the tasks laid out in this program will fulfill that responsibility. 

Occupational Health Program Handbook

Risk Assessment for Animal Contact Form

Training

All individuals engaged in laboratory animal research at Dasman Diabetes Institute, or under the oversight of the DDI ACEC, are required to complete practical and theory training prior to the engagement of animal research.

ACEC Training Modules

Animal Welfare Concerns

Dasman Diabetes Institute (DDI) promotes the highest standards of animal care and use, and is committed to the humane and responsible treatment of all animals being used for research, testing, or education. The Animal Care and Ethics Committee (ACEC) is required to investigate reports of suspected animal abuse or mistreatment.

If you observe or suspect animal abuse, mistreatment, or non-compliance with national regulations or non-compliance with an approved protocol, please report the incident.

The ACEC will investigate and evaluate concerns raised by anyone regarding the care and use of animals at DDI.

Animal welfare concerns may be reported to:

Sarah Alkandari

Animal Care and Ethics Committee Chairman

Sarah.alkandari@dasmaninstitute.org
Tel. 22249666 ext. 2807

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