How to get your study approved by an animal ethics committee
In a previous post, I spoke about the role of regulatory bodies governing animal research. It’s now time to talk about what institutional ethics boards do when it comes to vetting animal research proposals. I’ll also share tips on the things to remember when you submit your proposal for your study involving animals.
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What does an animal ethics review committee do?
Studies involving animals undergo an animal ethics review process as part of the research proposal approval process. An animal ethics committee typically
1. evaluates the quality and consistency of a proposal.
2. Reviews the proposed use of animals in research by evaluating the scientific design and conduct of the study and assesses if there are any modifications required in the protocols prior to approval.
3. ensures that the protocols in the proposal adhere to the standard guidelines and the personnel involved in animal care and use are appropriately qualified to perform their duties and conduct the proposed activities.
4. looks into any legitimate concerns involving the care and use of animals during research.
5. inspects the housing and other facilities in the animal facility in the institution to make sure that the experiments are conducted under hygienic conditions.
6. assesses predictable risks/harms to the animals to weigh them against advantage of research outcomes with every study protocol.
The final decision of approval/rejection of a research proposal and the final number of animals to be allotted is made after all committee members arrive at a consensus.
How to get approval by an animal ethics committee?
A protocol review by an institutional animal ethics committee typically covers the following points:
1. Understand the basis for approving animal research proposals
Approvals are based on the potential contribution the research can make towards the understanding of biological or environmental principles, or issues that benefit humans, animals, and the environment. The focus is also on research that can yield reproducible results.
Tip: Remember that approvals are granted if the researchers can provide sufficient evidence to claim that alternative methods for conducting the experiment do not exist.
2. Adhere to the three Rs of animal research
Adherence to the code of the three “R”s of animal research is a pre-requisite. What are the three “R”s?
- Replacement – techniques that replace the use of animals must be sought and used where possible
- Reduction – each project must use no more than the minimum number of animals necessary
- Refinement – Projects should be designed to avoid pain and distress in animals)
Tip: Make sure you follow the three Rs and specify this in your approval document.
3. Include a plain-language summary
Since the animal research ethics committee is supposed to include a non-scientist, a plain language summary of the project – including the primary aims, proposed use of animals, description of procedures designed to assure that animal suffering will be prevented or at least minimized – is first reviewed.
Tip: Write a plain language summary of your project. A good way to test the effectiveness of your summary is to get a non-researcher friend to read it and share feedback on how comprehensible it was.
4. Explain the relationship between the experiment and study objectives
The review also includes an examination of the following
- The relationship between the proposed experiment and the overall objective
- Identification of the species/strain of animals (justified by the structural, behavioural, physiological, biochemical or other features/considerations based on previous studies)
- Approximate number of animals to be used for the experiment and appropriateness of this number [based on experimental design along with the statistical rationale which supports the size of the control and test group(s)]
- Rationale for using the animals
- Complete description of the experimental protocols to be used on animals The procedures designed to limit physical injury/psychological distress caused to animals
- Setting of humane endpoints to the experiment
- Expertise of personnel conducting the experiments
- Use of anaesthetics, modes of surgery, analgesics, antibiotics, and euthanasia methods
- Living conditions of the animals – housing, feeding, medical and non-medical care of the animals
Tip: Make sure you specify how you have addressed the above points in your proposal.
5. Include all details about risks and hazards
If hazardous physical, chemical, and biological agents (such as radioactive materials, recombinant DNA/RNA, human/plant/animal pathogens, acute toxins, chemical carcinogens, ethers, etc.) are used, the potential health risks to humans or animals, special animal care required, precautions for personnel, special containment requirements, specific storage, waste and animal disposal requirements, and emergency procedures are reviewed extensively.
Tip: Specify in detail all your procedures for handling hazardous materials, waste disposal, animal care, etc.
6. Clarify the necessity of using animals
The use of animals for teaching protocols is approved only if alternative methods such as models, videos, computer simulations and emulations, etc., do not exist.
Tip: Carefully consider the use of animals for your study. Can you perform your research without animals? If yes, then use an alternative method.
7. Describe animal treatment fully
Experimental procedures involving the capture, handling, and release of wild animals are given utmost importance. When protocols involve aspects such as population sampling by sacrificing, a strong justification is needed for the method used. These approvals are granted to researchers who have adequate experience and expertise in wildlife studies.
Tip: If you are a novice researcher, make sure you get the expertise of an experienced senior colleague and mention this transparently in your proposal.
Thus, the goal of having protocols for animal experiments is to balance the ever-increasing demand of animals for medical, scientific, and economic progress, while simultaneously ensuring the ethical treatment of animals by reducing their usage and suffering. The guidelines stipulated by the government and the protocols reviewed by the institutional animal ethics committee try to reconcile these aspects and aim to achieve a cost/benefit assessment involving ethical, scientific, and social issues. The protocols for animal usage and the committee justifies the need for animal use, thereby assuring that the expected outcome of the experiments will outweigh the cost involved and contribute positively towards scientific advancement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is retrospective approval allowed when using animals for research?
No, retrospective approval is generally not allowed if you are using animals for research; you must secure approval from an appropriate animal ethics board before you conduct any experiments.
What do I do if the study was rejected by my university’s animal welfare and research ethics board?
If your proposal has been rejected by your institute’s animal research ethics board, your next steps can be
1. Understand reasons for rejection
2. Refine and supplement your proposal (e.g., by adding missing sections or descriptions)
3. Resubmit your proposal after confirming you have met all the requirements from the committee
What is the appeal process if research is denied by the animal ethics committee?
If your request for approval is denied by the animal ethics committee, you can submit a formal written appeal to the committee chair or your institute’s research integrity office. But note that in most universities, only one round of appeal is allowed. Otherwise, you will need to change the direction of your research altogether.
This article was originally published on March 27, 2018, and updated on May 01, 2026.
