Animal Welfare

Our research is closely linked to ethical considerations and regulatory requirements to ensure animal welfare. The protection and welfare of laboratory animals is our highest priority. In Germany, animal research is regulated by laws that ensure that each animal experiment is necessary, ethically justifiable and without alternative. These regulations, together with our internal ethical standards and our commitment to the 4Rs, 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 involving a vertebrate or cephalopod is subject to approval. In each case, the authorities examine whether the animal experiment is indispensable and ethically justifiable and whether the desired results can be obtained by other means. All animal husbandry and animal experimentation involving vertebrate or cephalopod animals must be approved in advance.

4R

In order to reconcile high ethical standards and scientific progress, animal experimentation and husbandry follow the so-called 3Rs principle. "Replace" means to replace animal testing 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 stress on laboratory animals. In its White Paper, the Max Planck Society has also 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 in our institute and to implement animal welfare issues. 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 animal experiment applications and the conduct of animal experiments. It is also responsible for the local control of animal experimentation and animal care at the Institute.

Animal Care 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, 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").