Cephalopod Research: Requirements, Impacts And Ethical Review
This article discusses the practical aspects of complying with an EU Directive regulating cephalopod research that took effect in January 2013. To formulate guidelines for researchers, the authors reviewed cephalopod-related research from 2005-2011 that would be subject to the new Directive if it was being conducted now. Using case study examples, the authors discuss the application of required practices and considerations in a variety of scenarios, and encourage affected researchers to develop systems and policies to ensure their compliance.
[Abstract excerpted from original source.]
“For the first time, European Union legislation on animal research and testing has extended its scope to include invertebrate species — the Class Cephalopoda. EU Directive 2010/63/EU, which was due to be implemented in Member States 1 January 2013, covers all ‘live cephalopods’ used in scientific procedures that are likely to cause the animals adverse effects such as ‘pain, suffering, distress or lasting harm’.”
“This paper examines practical implications of the new EU law for cephalopod research. It evolved from a meeting of European cephalopod researchers held in Naples in 2011 (EuroCeph), which in turn was stimulated by discussions within The Boyd Group (a UK forum on animal experiments). This paper:
- Describes key requirements of Directive 2010/63/EU
- Explains the project evaluation process that all regulated scientific projects involving animals must undergo before they can be authorised within Member States
- Presents a series of hypothetical case studies, to illustrate how, in practice, the principles for project evaluation might be applied in cephalopod research and testing
- Highlights the need for widely agreed guidance specific to cephalopods, to assist regulators, establishments and researchers in implementing the new law; and
- Concludes with a list of practical steps that researchers might take to ensure compliance with the Directive in the national legislation of all EU Member States.”