Centre stresses ethical research at animal welfare conference

New Delhi: The Centre has underlined the need to balance scientific advancement with humane treatment of animals, as the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying hosted a national conference on laboratory animal welfare in New Delhi.

Organised by the Committee for Control and Supervision of Experiments on Animals, the conference focused on strengthening ethical standards in scientific research, improving regulatory compliance and promoting best practices in laboratory animal care across the country.

Addressing the gathering, Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh said animal-based research continues to play a critical role in areas such as vaccine development and drug discovery, but stressed that research must be conducted with minimal pain and suffering to animals. He noted that India must strengthen scientific innovation while adhering to internationally accepted welfare standards.

The minister also highlighted the importance of disease-control programmes in the livestock sector, including vaccination drives against Foot and Mouth Disease, saying they are essential for improving dairy productivity and enhancing export potential.

Union Ministers of State S. P. Singh Baghel and George Kurian stressed that scientific progress should be guided by compassion, ethical responsibility and respect for living beings. Senior officials also called for a balanced approach where rapid scientific growth does not come at the cost of animal welfare.

The conference brought together scientists, veterinarians, researchers, institutional ethics committees and regulatory authorities from across India to deliberate on evolving welfare standards, advances in laboratory animal science and the implementation of regulatory frameworks.

Officials said the deliberations are part of the government’s broader effort to encourage responsible and transparent scientific research while ensuring better oversight of animal welfare practices in laboratories and research institutions. The event also featured technical sessions on policy frameworks, institutional challenges and emerging global standards in animal welfare research.

The discussions assume significance as India expands its biotechnology, pharmaceutical and veterinary research ecosystem, sectors where ethical compliance and internationally aligned welfare protocols are becoming increasingly important.