Animal Research Ethics

Research involving animals must be scientifically justified, legally conducted and designed to protect animal welfare.

Ethical approval

Authors must identify the institutional or competent ethics body that approved the work, provide the approval or protocol number when available, and state the applicable national or institutional requirements. For research conducted in India, relevant CCSEA/CPCSEA and Institutional Animal Ethics Committee requirements must be followed where applicable.

Welfare and the 3Rs

Study design must address Replacement, Reduction and Refinement. Manuscripts should describe housing, husbandry, handling, anaesthesia, analgesia, monitoring, humane endpoints and euthanasia methods sufficiently for ethical and scientific assessment. GAR may reject work when avoidable suffering is not justified.

Reporting

In vivo animal research should follow the ARRIVE 2.0 guidelines as applicable. Authors should use another recognized reporting guideline when it better fits the study design.

Clinical animals, wildlife and field studies

Veterinary clinical reports must document owner or authorized-carer consent when required. Wildlife and field research must include relevant permits and describe measures taken to minimize disturbance and harm. Research involving endangered or protected species must comply with applicable conservation law.

Editorial verification

GAR may request approval letters, permits, consent documentation or protocol details. Approval does not prevent editorial rejection when the reported treatment of animals is ethically or scientifically unacceptable.