All research projects are conducted in accordance with Spanish legislation on the protection of animals used for experimentation and other scientific purposes (Royal Decree 53/2013 and Law 32/2007), which is a transposition of Directive 2010/63/ EU. All procedures carried out are reviewed by the center's Ethics Committee, evaluated by an external authorized body and authorized by the competent authority in this matter.

    Comité Ético de la Fundación Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (CNIC)

    Royal Decree 53/2013 in its Chapter VI “Body in charge of animal welfare”, requires that in state-owned user centers there is an ethical animal welfare committee, “which is equipped with internal regulations that define and develop, its composition and its basic operation according to criteria of confidentiality and representativeness, which guarantee impartiality in the decisions made by it.”

    The CNIC Ethics Committee has the following objectives:

    • Advise staff on issues related to the welfare of animals regarding their acquisition, housing, care and use.
    • Advise staff on the application of the replacement, reduction and refinement requirement, and keep them informed of technical and scientific developments in the application of that requirement.
    • Establish and review internal operational processes regarding the control, communication and monitoring of information related to animal welfare.
    • Advise on rehoming or adoption regimes, including appropriate socialization of animals to be rehomed or put up for adoption.
    • Prepare the report referred to in article 33.1 and will monitor the projects taking into account their effect on the animals used, as well as determine and evaluate the elements that best contribute to replacement, reduction and refinement.

    The composition of the CNIC Ethics Committee strictly follows the stipulations of Article 39 of RD 53/2013:

    1. The Ethics Committee must be made up of people with the necessary experience and knowledge to ensure the well-being and care of the animals. It will be made up of at least the following members:
      • The people responsible for the well-being and care of the animals.
      • Several researchers or scientific members.
      • The designed vet
    2. Members respect the principle of confidentiality.
    3. The Ethics Committee will receive advice from the designated veterinarian.
    4. When the Ethics Committee deems it appropriate, it will request the advice of experts who will also respect the principle of confidentiality.