Animal Welfare Body (O.P.B.A.)

The use of live animals in experimental procedures continues to be necessary for the advancement of scientific knowledge, although it is desirable to promote research aimed at replacing current animal models with methods that do not involve the use of live animals.
In any case, the use of animals raises important ethical questions. In the background, what is at stake is the very legitimacy of having sentient beings, bearers of an intrinsic value that must be respected.
A further ethical problem of the utmost importance concerns the need to minimize those experimental procedures that involve the use of animals for scientific purposes, where it is considered necessary to use animals in research, which result in some degree of pain, suffering, stress or prolonged damage.

In this perspective, the University of Padova reiterates that the progress of scientific knowledge cannot always be pursued and that the costs involved in the use of the animal must be carefully weighed against the benefits in terms of scientific progress and advantage for the health of humans, other animals or the environment. Consequently, the use of animals for scientific purposes within the institutional areas of the University must be preliminarily and carefully considered in order to ensure that each research is not only scientifically based, but is also conducted, in full compliance with current legislation, with the utmost consideration of the ethical principles of reference.
Researchers and all those involved in experimental practices using animals for scientific purposes must first and foremost ensure adequate protection of the animals involved. Furthermore, the reliability of the results obtained cannot be separated from a qualified good laboratory and "animal care" practice, aimed at protecting animal welfare.

Rector's Delegate - Director

Animal Welfare Managers

Designated veterinarians

Scientific components (representatives of the scientific areas concerned) 
     - Pharmaceutical Sciences: 1 representative
     - Life Sciences: 2 representatives 
     - Medical Sciences: 1 representative 
     - Agricultural and Medical-Veterinary Sciences: 1 veterinary clinician and 1 zootechnician 
     - Psychological Sciences: 1 representative

Experts:
     - Expert in bioethics
     - Biostatistician
     - Expert in ethology
     - Jurisprudence Expert
     - Expert in Biosafety
     - Sectoral Sciences (No. 8)

Responsible for administrative proceedings

The start of a research involving the use of animals in the University's facilities will be subject to the verification of the following aspects:

• the need for the research and the likely contribution in terms of long-term positive effects on human health, other animals or the environment (social relevance of the research);
• the need for the use of animals over alternative methods. Where the use of animals is essential, it is necessary to use species with the lowest possible degree of neurological development (substitution/replacement);
• compliance with the principle of the maximum possible reduction in the number of animals used, while maintaining the forecast of reliable results (reduction);
• the need to improve procedures in order to maximise the protection of the welfare of the animals used. In particular, in the event that the procedures used may cause pain, suffering, distress or prolonged damage in species with the ability to experience and express them, the experimental protocol will be evaluated taking into account the degree and duration of suffering, the number of animals involved and the planned and foreseeable measures to reduce the probability of harming the animals (refinement).

All research projects involving the use of animals for scientific purposes will have to obtain ministerial authorisation before starting the research.
The researcher will then have to wait for a response from the ministry and will not be able to start any activity until he has received the required authorization from the ministry itself. The fact remains unchanged that a negative opinion provided by OPBA on a specific project means that it cannot be carried out in the University structures.