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| KU's animal research laboratory violates animal rights | | | Muhammad Mukaram
Early Times Report
Srinagar, Oct 21: In a shocking revelation, the animal research laboratory in Kashmir university, situated behind the zoology department is flouting norms of the committee for controlling and supervision of experiments on animals (CPCSEA). The KU administration has been accused of sleeping over the pathetic condition of the animal facility.
The University of Kashmir's Animal House is registered, the research lab is yet to be put in order despite dozens of researcher working in worst conditions. Located behind the department of Zoology in the University campus, the animal house lies dilapidated under layers of dust and rotten furniture.
Heaps of garbage and animal and bird excrement is spread across the lab, a clear violation of the CPSCEA guidelines.
The CPCSEA clearly states that the 'sanitation' is essential in an animal facility, where animal rooms, corridors, storage spaces, and other areas should be cleaned with appropriate detergents and disinfectants as often as necessary to keep them free of dirt, debris, and harmful contamination.
The animal house, which should be maintained in a way that proper human care is ensured to animals, should remain under technical and experienced assistants and caretakers.
It is pre-requisite that all establishments, who undertake research involving animals, have to comply with the rules and guidelines underlined by CPCSEA.
"At times many tests require specifics in temperature or humidity. But, we do not have technical support to maintain those conditions. So it becomes difficult for us to follow what our experiments require," a researcher, who wished anonymity, said.
The researcher pointed out that several animals also 'run away' after they do not receive the proper care as required. "We then have to start the whole process once again," he added.
As per the CPCSEA guidelines, "ideally, capability should be provided to allow variations within the range of approximately 18 to 29°C (64.4 to 84.2F), which includes the temperature ranges usually recommended for common laboratory animals."
The norms also direct that the relative humidity should be controllable within the range of 30% to 70% throughout the year.
For larger animals a comfortable zone (18 to 37°C) should be maintained during extreme summer by appropriate methods for cooling.
However, there is no visible equipment or experienced caretakers in the lab to ensure such variations. Even in harsh winters, the animals for the experimentation are kept under same circumstances without any alteration in the conditions.
CPCSEA is also responsible to act against the establishment in case they violate of any legal norm or stipulation.
After Dr Khursheed Iqbal Andrabi, a well-known researcher in Bio-Informatics, took charge as the Vice Chancellor of the University a year ago, many expected that a 'strong push will be given to the research activities in the University, however, the deteriorated Animal House of the university seems to have failed to grab the attention of the university administration. As per the fee structure, the students of Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences have to pay one time fees of Rs 500 for the maintenance of the Animal house. Top official of the University said that they do not keep the animals in the house for only a transitory phase of 10-12 days and it does not necessarily effect the work of the researchers. "We have taken up the issue with Vice Chancellor of the University and we expect that soon the matter will be solved," he said. |
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