MUMBAI: The Union ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) has banned
the use of live animals in dissection and other experiments in educational
and research institutions. But scientists conducting new molecular research
will be exempted from the ban.
Based on the Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals Act (1960), the MoEF has issued guidelines to the University Grants
Commission, ministry of health and family welfare, Pharmacy Council of India
and the Medical Council of India to discontinue dissection and experiments
with live animals in universities, colleges, research institutes, hospitals,
laboratories and instead use alternatives like computer simulation.
The MoEF says that the central government is duty-bound to use alternatives
to avoid unnecessary suffering or pain to animals.
It states that
effective alternatives in the form of CDs, computer simulations and
mannequin models are available; they are not only effective as absolute
replacements for animals in teaching anatomy or physiology but are also
superior learning tools in teaching of pharmacy or life sciences.
The
guidelines were framed based on the duties of the Committee for the Purpose
of Control and Supervision of Experiments and Animals (CPCSEA), which has
been constituted under the provisions of Section 15 of the Prevention of
Cruelty to Animals Act (1960).
The committee comprises seven nominees
- three nominees appointed by CPCSEA and the remaining four from
educational institutes.
"The animal experiments should be stopped in
all institutes except for the purpose of new molecular research. Sometimes,
in laboratories, a lot of work is repeated and animals become unnecessary
victims. Only scientists researching on a new molecular theory can
experiment on animals. In medical and pharmacy colleges, there is unwanted
cruelty towards animals which can be avoided. These guidelines mention
imprisonment for five years and monetary penalty," said Mangal Jain, a
nominee of the Institutional Animal Ethics Committee (IAEC), which is
appointed by CPCSEA.
Hoshang Bilimoria, also a nominee appointed by
the CPCSEA, said the guidelines were a welcome change.
"CPCSEA should
give the nominees the power to inspect animals housed in educational
institutes, experimentation centres or technical laboratories without prior
intimation to the institutes. Cross-checks should also be maintained through
other members," said Bilimoria.
--
*Naresh Kadyan <http://nareshkadian.blogspot.com/>,
**Representative of the International Organization for Animal Protection *<http://www.oipa.org/>
<http://goog_1855386989>*- OIPA in
India* <http://www.oipa.org/>, *Chairman,
People for Animals Haryana, <http://www.pfaharyana.in/>*
पशुओं के प्रति क्रूरता निवारणःनियम अधिनियम और सूचनाएँ<http://animal-laws.blogspot.com/>
*नरेश कादयान <http://nareshkadian.blogspot.com/>,
अध्यक्ष,पीपल्स फॉर एनिमल हरियाणा, अंतरराष्ट्रीय पशु रक्षा संगठन के भारतीय
प्रतिनिधि
+91-9813010595
<http://nareshkadyan.webs.com/>*
നരേഷ് കട്യന് ನರೇಶ್ ಕದ್ಯನ್ નરેશ કડ્યાન نرش قدیان ναρεση καδυαν নরেশ কাদ্যান
ਨਰੇਸ਼ ਕਾਦ੍ਯਾਂ нарэш кадян нареш кадјан நரேஷ் கடைன் నరేష్ కద్యాన్
<http://animal-laws.blogspot.com/>
