Responsibilities for a principal investigator

When planning animal experiments, the principal investigator should specifically consider, motivate, and describe:

  1. the animal experiment’s end-point,
  2. the animal experiment’s humane end-point,
  3. 3.how to assess the pain, discomfort, or other suffering of the laboratory animals, as well as
  4. the need for supervision (written plans shall be established for how the person monitoring the animals shall act in case of both expected and unexpected effects).

The principal investigator shall ensure that personnel who will perform an animal experiment, or care for laboratory animals in connection with the animal experiment, can take part of the application for ethical approval and the decision on ethical approval of the animal experiment, as well as any approved amendments decided by the animal welfare body. The principal investigator shall ensure that personnel according to the first paragraph receive written instructions on

  1. end-point and humane end-point for the animal experiment,
  2. how the laboratory animals’ suffering is assessed and continously documented, as well as
  3. how supervision of the laboratory animals before, during, and after procedures within the animal experiment, shall take place.

The principal investigator shall ensure that the animal experiment is performed according to theethical approval.

The principal investigator shall ensure that all unnecessary suffering within the framework for ananimal experiment is prevented and, if present, is stopped. The principal investigator shall alsoensure that measures are taken according to §§ 9–11:

  • §9 An anim
  • al experiment shall be ended as soon as the end-point according to the ethical approvalfor the animal experiment has been reached.
  • §10 A laboratory animal shall be taken out of the animal experiment before the end-point isreached if
  1. the humane end-point, according to the ethical approval, is reached, or
  2. it is subjected to unexpected suffering that cannot be revoked.
  • §11 A laboratory animal shall be killed after it has been taken out of animal experiments or whenthe end-point has been reached.

Despite the first paragraph, a laboratory animal may be kept alive if it is unlikely that the animalwill continue to experience moderate or severe pain, suffering, distress, or permanent harm and

  1. a laboratory animal veterinarian or expert has determined that the laboratory animal shallcontinue to live, or
  2. it is not specified by the ethical approval for animal experiment that the laboratory animal shallbe killed.

The principal investigator shall ensure that the required documentation to enable retrospectiveassessment is collected and is made available to the Central Ethics Committee.

 

The license holder is ultimately responsible that the establishments are managed according to the legislation and shall give officers named in the establishment license sanction and authorization to perform their duties and tasks.

The responsibilities for the named officers (föreståndare) are divided between three different areas: animal care & welfare, education & competence and information. The named officers are carrying out their responsibilities according to the legislation and are doing their best to make the research at Stockholm’s University as uncomplicated as possible.

The named officer’s responsibilities for animal care& welfare (NACWO)

  • The NACWO shall ensure that, when planning animal experiments, the principal investigatorshould specifically consider, motivate, and describe
  1. the animal experiment’s end-point,
  2. the animal experiment’s humane end-point,
  3. how to assess the pain, discomfort, or other suffering of the laboratory animals, as well as
  4. the need for supervision.
  • The NACWO shall ensure that records are kept and that the following documentation, whenapplicable, is readily available to those who work with the laboratory animals at the laboratoryanimal facility:
  1. For laboratory animals used in animal experiments, performed procedures including time forthese shall be recorded in chronological order. The following information shall be included in the record:
    -reference number of the ethical approval of animal experiment,
    -the principal investigators instructions and other documentation,
    -if the laboratory animal has been used before and if so in which animal experiments.
  2. Complete decision on ethical approval of animal experiment including application.
  • The NACWO shall ensure that there is information about the principal investigators name as wellas the reference number for the decision on ethical approval of animal experiment attached oneach cage, box, room, or corresponding space where there are laboratory animals.
  • The NACWO shall ensure that marking of all experimental animals is performed according to thelegislation.
  • The NACWO shall ensure that the principal investigator prevents and stops suffering accordingto the first paragraph:
    -the principal investigator shall ensure that all unnecessary suffering within the framework foran animal experiment is prevented and, if present, is stopped.
  • The NACWO shall document any non-compliance and which measures have been taken torectify non-compliance with the ethical approval.
  • The NACWO shall ensure that there are written work instructions for care of the laboratoryanimals and that staff handling the animals follow those instructions.

The named officer’s responsibilities for information (NIO)

  • The NIO shall ensure that the following documentation, in applicable parts, is readily available tothose who work with the laboratory animals at the laboratory animal facility:
  1. Decision on establishment license.
  2. Decision on preliminary approval of the laboratory animal facility and approval of thelaboratory animal facility.
  3. Records of animal experiments.
  4. Documentation on ethical approval of animal experiment.
  5. Veterinarian plans.
  • The NIO shall ensure that the application for ethical approval of animal experiment, includingdecision, shall be saved for at least three years from the date that the approval expires.
  • The NIO shall ensure that records of animal experiment shall be saved for at least five years fromthe date of the last information entries.
  • The NIO shall ensure that the following information is readily available to staff handling thespecies and strains housed in the laboratory animal facility:
  1. Enrichment plans,
  2. information about protection of the laboratory animals in case of unexpected external events ofimportance to animal welfare,
  3. information about the 3R-principle,
  4. information about the species and strains housed at the laboratory animal facility.

The named officer’s responsibilities for education & competence (NTCO)

  • The NTCO shall ensure that the requirements for education and competence in L150 are followed.

Responsibilities for the designated veterinarian

  • The veterinarian should consult in planning of the animal experiment.
  • The veterinarian shall participate in surveillance of the laboratory animals at
    1. All animals experiments classified as severe
    2. Animal experiments where the Regional Animal Ethics Committee has decided that it is suitable, as well as
    3. In other animal experiments where the veterinarian has assessed it to be suitable.
  • The veterinarian shall regulary visit the different facilities and also field studies

Responsibilities for all persons working with laboratory animals/conducting research with laboratory animals at Stockholm University

  • Know your ethics permit (or the one you work under)
    - If you are uncertain; ask your PI, Föreståndare or the veterinarian.
  • Write journal- always!
    - For laboratory animals used in animal experiments, performed procedures including time for these shall be recorded in chronological order.
    - Information about diseases and injuries as well as any actions which have been taken due to the mentioned.
    - Date of death or killing which is not part of an animal experiment. The cause for killing shall be recorded as well as cause of death if known.
  • Report poor animal care and welfare or deviations from an ethics permit
    - To your PI, Föreståndare or the veterinarian.
  • Confirm that you have the mandatory education
    - Ask your Föreståndare or Tillståndshavarkansliet