Animal Experimentation Ethics Committee (AEEC)

What is the AEEC?

According to R. D. 53/2013 of 1 February, which establishes the basic rules applicable to the protection of animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes, including teaching,

Article 37, in centres breeding, supplying and using experimental animals, there must be a body in charge of animal welfare ("OEBA"). In users, this body shall be called the animal experimentation ethics committee.

In our case, as the animal facility of the Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal is a user of experimental animals (*), this body is called the Animal Experimentation Ethics Committee (AEEC)

The AEEC as an authorised body (A.B.) for project assessment

In addition, since 2014, the CEEA of the Ramón y Cajal University Hospital has been an Authorised Body of the Community of Madrid (A.B.) (Resolution of 21 January 2014) for the evaluation of projects involving the use of experimental animals (See "The AEEC as an Authorised Body").

Therefore, as established in articles 32, 33 and 34 of the aforementioned R.D., in order to obtain the Authorisation of the Competent Authority (Animal Protection Area of the Community of Madrid) to carry out a project involving the use of experimental animals, a series of procedures must be fulfilled in which the AEEC and the A.B. must intervene.

AEEC functions

The main functions of the AEEC are those set out in art. 38 of R. D. 53/2013, which establishes the basic rules applicable to the protection of animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes, including teaching, namely:

Advise staff dealing with animals on animal welfare issues related to the acquisition, housing, care and use of animals.
Advise staff on the implementation of the replacement, reduction and refinement requirement, and keep them informed of technical and scientific developments in the implementation of that requirement.
Establish and review internal operational processes with regard to the control, communication and monitoring of animal welfare related information.
Advise on rehoming or adoption schemes, including appropriate socialisation of animals to be rehomed or adopted.
At user level, it shall also prepare the report referred to in Article 33(1) and monitor projects taking into account their effect on the animals used as well as identify and evaluate the elements that best contribute to replacement, reduction and refinement.

In addition to these functions specified in RD 53/2013, the AEEC shall at all times ensure compliance with current legislation on animal experimentation, and shall advise the Hospital's management bodies and research-related authorities on the adequacy of the procedures and regulations governing animal experimentation and teaching at the centre.

AEEC composition:

President
Dr. Federico Soria Gálvez
Doctor en Veterinaria
Jefe de Servicio Cirugía Experimental
Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal

Secretary
Dª. Beatriz Barrocal López
Licenciada en Veterinaria
Unidad Cirugía Experimental y Animalario
Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal

Chairs
Dª. Ana Isabel Ortiz Chércoles
Licenciada en Veterinaria
Unidad Cirugía Experimental y Animalario
Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal

Dr. Fernando Almeida Parra
FEA Cirugía Maxilofacial
Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal

Dra. Alicia Mansilla Aparicio
Doctora en Biología.
Investigadora Senior UAH-IRYCIS

Dra. Laura Ruiz Cañas
Doctora en Biología.
Responsable modelos in vivo del Biobanco IRYCIS/HURYC

Dr. Carlos Zaragoza Sánchez
Servicio Cardiología
Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal

Dra. Elena Martín García
Doctora en Bioquímica.
Investigadora postdoctoral IRYCIS

Legal framework

Law 32/2007, of 7 November, for the care of animals, in their exploitation, transport, experimentation and sacrifice.
Directive 2010/63/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 September on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes.
Royal Decree 53/2013 of 1 February establishing the basic rules applicable to the protection of animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes, including teaching.
Order ECC/566/2015, of 20 March, establishing the training requirements to be met by personnel handling animals used, bred or supplied for experimental and other scientific purposes, including teaching.