Animal Welfare
Our research is closely linked to ethical considerations and regulatory requirements to ensure animal welfare. Before an animal experiment is carried out, the expected gain in knowledge and the expected harm to the animal are always assessed. At the same time the burden must be kept at the lowest possible level. Only then can an animal experiment be considered “ethically justifiable”. These regulations, coupled with our internal standards and commitment to the 4Rs principle, guide our actions and ensure the high quality and accountability of our research.
The Law
More than almost any other area of animal husbandry and use, animal research in Germany is subject to strict regulations (Animal Welfare Act, Ordinance on the Protection of Laboratory Animals, Ordinance on the Reporting of Laboratory Animals, Directive 2010/63/EU). Every animal experiment on a vertebrate or cephalopod is subject to approval. In each individual case, the authorities review whether the animal experiment is indispensable and ethically justifiable and whether the desired results could be obtained by other means. All animal husbandry and animal experiments with vertebrates or cephalopods require prior approval.
4R
In order to reconcile high ethical standards and scientific progress, animal experiments and husbandry follow the so-called 3Rs principle. "Replace" means to replace animal experiments with alternative methods whenever possible. "Reduce" means to minimize the number of animals used in experiments. "Refine" means improving methods and husbandry conditions to reduce the potential burden on the laboratory animals. In its White Paper, the Max Planck Society has further committed itself to the responsible treatment of animals, "Responsibility", the fourth R. Animal husbandry, breeding and research are always carried out in accordance with the "Best Practice Standards" and the 4R principles of the MPG.
Animal Welfare Officer
The main task of the Animal Welfare Officer is to ensure animal welfare and high animal welfare standards at our institute. The Animal Welfare Officer is not bound by instructions and acts as an intermediary between the authorities and those conducting the experiments and those entrusted with the care and treatment of the laboratory animals. The Animal Welfare Officer provides advice and assistance during the initial planning of animal experiments, the preparation of the application and the active animal experiments. They ares also charged with the local control of animal research and care at the Institute.
Animal Welfare Body
The Animal Welfare Body is an independent internal committee that advises scientists and staff on animal welfare issues and assists the animal welfare officer. It consists of animal caretakers, various scientists, technical assistants, biologists, and veterinarians. The establishment of an Animal Welfare Body is a legal requirement in institutions that perform animal experiments. The Animal Welfare Body meets regularly to discuss current issues at the Institute and provides support, in particular with regard to communication and implementation of the 4Rs.
Regulatory Oversight
The authority responsible for our permits and supervision is the Regierungspräsidium Darmstadt (Darmstadt Regional Council). The official veterinarians of the Regierungspräsidium Darmstadt review each application for animal experimentation. They are assisted by a voluntary and independent committee of experts ("Animal Experiments Committee").