Mission
The Ethics Committee for Animal Experimentation (ECAE) is a body jointly operated by the SAMS and the Swiss Academy of Sciences (SCNAT). Its members are drawn from various fields – basic research, veterinary medicine, animal welfare, law and ethics.
The ECAE acts as an expert and advisory body in the area of animal experimentation. It anticipates and discusses ethical challenges arising from research involving animals, with the aim of promoting high-quality, responsible and scientifically robust research. The ECAE draws up position papers and recommendations, examines legal provisions in the area of animal experimentation and, where appropriate, comments on national and international regulations.
In addition, the ECAE provides a forum for inter- and transdisciplinary as well as interinstitutional dialogue among the stakeholders concerned. This dialogue is promoted, for example, by means of symposia and expert round tables. Together with the Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences, the ECAE is committed to open dialogue on animal experimentation under STAAR - Swiss Transparency Agreement on Animal Research.
STAAR - Swiss Transparency Agreement on Animal Research
More information on animal experiments
Members
Prof. Hanno Würbel, Abteilung für Tierschutz, Vetsuisse-Fakultät, Universität Bern (Chair)
Prof. Michael Schmid, Department of Neurosciences and Movement Sciences, Université de Fribourg (Vice Chair)
Andrea Kern, MSc, SAMS, Bern (ex officio)
Dr. Charlotte E. Blattner, Institut für öffentliches Recht, Universität Bern
Dr. Matthias Eggel, Philosophisches Seminar, Universität Basel
Dr. Gisèle Ferrand, Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel
Dr. Silvia Frey, Animalfree Research, Bern
Dr. Simone Gilg, Abteilung Tiergesundheit und Tierschutz, Tierversuche, Bundesamt für Lebensmittelsicherheit und Veterinärwesen, Bern
Prof. Michael O. Hottiger, Department of Molecular Mechanisms of Disease, Universität Zürich
Prof. Daniel Huber, Department of Basic Neurosciences, Université de Genève
Prof. Angela Martin, Environmental Sciences and Humanities Institute, Université de Fribourg
Dr. Michaela Thallmair, Animal Welfare Officer, Universität Zürich
Dr. Andrina Zbinden-Hauzenberger, Animal Welfare Officer, Université de Fribourg
Annual reports
Publications
Publications available in French or German
- ECAE submission to the consultation on the revision of ordinances in the area of animal welfare (15 March 2024) available in German
- SAMS Bulletin 1/2022: Round Table on licensing procedures (p. 6, 2022) available in French or German
- Position paper: Handling of laboratory animals during the Covid-19 pandemic (2 December 2020) available in French or German
- SAMS Bulletin 2/2019: Licensing procedures for animal experiments: stricter controls or greater individual responsibility? (2019) available in French or German
- Argumentation regarding the parliamentary initiative 18.491 (2019) available in French or German
- Ethical Principles and Guidelines for Experiments on Animals (2005, under revision – new edition scheduled for 2024) available in French or German