Ethics committee recommendations for laboratory animals in private research in France

Complementary to existing legislation, non-public research companies in Fra nce have been working together voluntarily within an organization known as Grice (Interprofessional Working Group on Ethics Committees for Laboratory Animals/Groupe de Reflexion Interprofessionnel sur les Comites d'Ethique ap pliquee a l'animal de laboratoire) with the objective of creating instituti onal ethics committees in an effort to promote animal welfare and good scie ntific procedures. Each company's commitment to the creation of these commi ttees has been expressed by signing the Charter. Each ethics committee is c omposed of at least three members, including one who is not a scientist; a veterinarian is highly desirable. The committee examines all procedures and protocols involving animals and hands down a favourable or unfavourable op inion, or requests improvements, especially concerning animal well-being. C onsensual approval of the protocol is an essential requirement before the p urchase or allocation of animals. The committee examines every aspect of la boratory animal housing and care, and inspects all temporary or permanent a nimal housing facilities. Grice will continue its efforts in relation with public research organizations as well as with groups and in other countries whose objectives are in line with its own.