One day symposium was organized by the Department of Zoology on 2 September 2017 to fill the knowledge gap and sensitize the different stake holders (students, research scholars and faculty members) about the legal frame work of the country and its sanctity, regulatory bodies , basic components of animal house, record keeping of the experimental animal models.
The session started with lamp lighting followed by Saraswati Vandana. The welcome address was given by Dr. Pradeep Bhatnagar, Dean, Faculty of Life Sciences in which he highlighted the significance of using right methods during handling of animals during research experiments.
The first session began with lecture by Dr. Vikas Galav on “Regulatory framework of animal experiments in India & Importance of record keeping”. He discussed the importance of animal welfare emphasizing on the 3 R’s - Replacement, Reduction & Refinement & the 4th R- which is the responsibility of the researchers to pursue research in a well defined way causing less exploitation of animals. He also discussed regulatory bodies like CPCSEA which supervise the breeding & equipments on animals in various agencies where are used for experimental purposes. Steps to register an animal house were also explained, Sir also made us aware about IAEC, its composition, its role in research role of CPCSEA nominee, Importance of record keeping types of records that should be maintained.
Second session was addressed by Dr. Ganesh Sharma. He discussed how different types of drug treatments like analgesics, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic can be given to different animal models.
Dr. Alka Galav shared her views on insights into animal research proposals: form B’. She guided us about how to choose the right animal model for research, Quality control methods like good animal keeping, duration of study, route of inoculation, specimen collection and many other points which need to be kept in mind while filling form B.
In the third technical session Dr. Vikas Galav emphasized on the topic “designing & critical components of Animal House”.
Speakers of the symposium shared their immense experience and knowledge which has created awareness about justified usages of laboratory animals along with their welfare concerns. The symposium ended with a brief report and formal vote of thanks proposed by the Organizing Secretary Dr. Lata Shahani, Head Department of Zoology.