About | Law and Ethics | The Ethical Committee

One of the most important safeguards for the scientific quality and the social relevance of the research carried out at BPRC is the ethical review process. This is performed by the Animal Experiment Committee (called the Dierexperimentencommissie – DEC in Dutch). This ethical review is absolutely required under Dutch law.

In simple terms, ethics is the study of what is good and bad, right and wrong. In other words it is about making judgements on things.

To help make informed and balanced decisions, the DEC comprises experts in the areas of animal research, alternatives to animal testing, animal protection and welfare and applied (bio)ethics. The Animal Welfare Officer, appointed to the BPRC under Article 14 of the law, is a permanent advisor to the committee.

The DEC carefully reviews detailed information provided by the people planning to do the research (a list of some of the required information is available here) and often then requires further information before reaching a decision.

The DEC carefully assesses the scientific value of the research as well as the potential benefit of the research to mankind. The committee evaluates the ethical justification of the use of animals and tries to reach a balanced view on human interests versus animal interests.

The ethics committee will reject experiments where the importance of the experiment is not in balance with any distress likely to be caused to the animals (even though the scientific quality may be high).

The DEC gives formal advice to the Director of BPRC. If a study is approved by the DEC, then a positive confirmation is sent in writing to the Director of BPRC. Under Dutch law the Director holds the license for animal experimentation for the whole institute (the license is obtained from the Ministry of VWS).

After the Director has also approved the protocol, based on advice from the DEC, studies can begin. Dutch law requires that all of these procedures be properly followed.

One further important role of the DEC involves the review of any proposed changes to the protocol once it has been approved. For instance, during the course of a study new information might become available that can help to improve the science of the study, or can improve the welfare of the animals in the study (or both).

Unexpected problems may also occur that require a change of plan. The DEC must be informed of any proposed changes, and reviews these while the study is ongoing.

AT 09/01/03

last updated: din, 22 jul 2003