The Ethics Committee

The charter was drawn up by the French National committee for Ethical Reflection on animal experimentation (CNREEA) and is the result of collaboration between civil society representatives, animal welfare groups, representatives of animal experimentation professionals (public and private) as well as State representatives. The goal of the Charter is to give a framework to the ethical approaches of experimenters in France, and to standardize the work of the ethics committees that have existed for years without any legal provisions. This lack of restrictions is an essential characteristic of ethics which must remain free from regulatory obligations, because it appeals to peoples’ consciences.

The Ethics Committee of the Grenoble Institute of Neuroscience was created in 2007. Since then the Committee has signed the national charter and is recognized by the Ministry of Research as the “GIN Ethics Committee n°004”. It consists of 10 people:

• 1 veterinarian,
• 1 person assigned to the lodging and care of the animals,
• 5 researchers,
• 1 person called to participate in experiments,
• The head of the animal housing facilities,
• 1 lay member.

The role of this committee is to make sure that animal experimentation is limited to experiments that are strictly necessary and that these experiments take into account that animals are sensitive beings that feel pain, and that each species has its own physiological and behavioral needs. When necessary, the Committee offers to improve experimental methods in order to remove pain and discomfort. For example, it encourages the use of analgesic and anesthetic methods or recommends using non?invasive techniques.

Since its creation, the Committee has analyzed more than 150 protocols and measurement procedures, of which 50% have been modified with the agreement of the authors.