Unige: Experiences on fish without authorization

Of the Pisces to which we inject a product, then that we euthanasia, without authorization. Moreover, The practices of a researcher from the University of Geneva were recently sanctioned by justice.

Despite his apologies. In addition, regrets, the scientist received a fine of 1,500 francs for carrying out experiences outside the framework and via certain uncommits methods, our editorial staff learned.

The manipulations reproached by justice were carried out between 2019 and 2020. Moreover, A doctoral student of the scientist gives the alert: he assures that his teacher asked him to silence certain elements: the purchase of fish in French Guyana. However, first of all, then injections on these animals.

As part of experiments. Nevertheless, the scientist and his colleague thus injected 51 specimens from the Loricariidae family of Cobalt chloride or colchicine using a syringe, before euthanizing them and taking samples. Nevertheless, Objective: to be able to count the number of chromosomes in order to better understand the biodiversity of these species.

No authorization – Unige: experiences fish without authorization

Alerted by the student, a committee is trained by the University’s integrity delegate. Consequently, It issued two reports in early 2021. Similarly, Verdict: the teacher did not break the fish by importing the fish. However, but he has directed experiments without authorization, and this for several years.

The scientist “adopted fraudulent behavior in matters of animal experimentation. However, thus constituting a very serious offense to scientific integrity”, says the report. Nevertheless, The teacher has a disciplinary sanction and he is unige: experiences fish without authorization denounced to justice.

Man is heard by the brigade of manners to whom he describes his experiences: restraint of fish out of water. Furthermore, injection of cobalt chloride or colchicine, return to the pet store while awaiting the effect of the product. Nevertheless, Twelve to twenty-four hours later. Meanwhile, the fish is sacrificed either by a blow (with an object, like a screwdriver handle), or by overdose of medication to stun it, before bleeding it by incision of blood vessels. Nevertheless, Post-mortem fabrics are then taken.

“No sign of suffering”

The scientist. Meanwhile, who has abandoned research since the facts, affirms this during the procedure: fish have not shown signs of suffering or discomfort, only the stress of manipulation. Furthermore, A reaction similar to that during the water change of the aquarium. But he admits unige: experiences fish without authorization that he did not inquire about the effect of such an injection: the study of which he was inspired does not mention any pain. indicates the criminal order.

The whistleblower. on the contrary, ensures the justice that the fish suffered, because of the depth to which the needle was broken but also from the effect of the product. The student also indicates having seen his teacher put a plastic ring on said animals. to determine the effect on their growth.

Some fish have died spontaneously, recognizes the researcher, but the cause remains unknown because no autopsy has been made. For the defendant, the euthanasia followed the protocol in force. But death has been privileged because it is less stressful. Finally, the teacher admitted to having worked on fish embryos in the past.

Older cases

The file is further increased: a report written by the director of animal experimentation of the university shows hundreds of photos of fish during unauthorized. suffering experiences. Specimens with a tight ring on their posterior part, their “fiery” and “swollen” tissues, see “cut”, “without anti-inflammatory treatment”. Cases go back until 2013.

Expressing his regrets. the researcher assumes, however, having never made a request for authorization for his experiences, because he made observation rather than experimentation, according to him. It also highlights the pressure, overwork, and lack of means.

The Cantonal Service for Consumption and Veterinary Affairs (SCAV), competent in the field, was asked by investigators. He determined that the scientist could not ignore, by his training, the authorizations necessary for his experiments. As much in 2019 as before.

Regarding the killing of fish, he did not refer to the right rules, those of laboratories. There technique Stunning by blows is not accepted.

A “heavy” and repeated fault

What about animal suffering? A colleague from the professor indicated during the procedure that the fish to which colchicine had decomposed and died. The cantonal veterinarian said that cobalt chloride, highly toxic, caused “one death by agony” by damaging the cells. If the authorizations had been requested, a protocol of anesthesia and painkillers would have been imposed on the researcher.

The prosecution imposed a fine, with procedural costs. The fault is “heavy” and repeated over several years, indicates the criminal order. But justice recognizes that the defendant assumed his faults and expressed sincere regrets. In addition, man was “concerned with well-being” of his animals. unige: experiences fish without authorization He was moved by “the obligation to fulfill too many objectives at the same time. and in the face of overload, decided to proceed alone, for convenience and time saving”.

Contacted, the researcher’s lawyer, Me Sarah Praplan, indicates that his client “has fully collaborated within the framework of the procedure. The specific circumstances of the file, which were duly highlighted, were appreciated correctly and fairly by the public prosecutor. My client has therefore given up contesting the criminal order. ”

How to explain that the SCAV, responsible for controls, saw nothing? “Without compliance with the announcement obligation on the part of the director of experience. it is not possible in the specialized cantonal service to enter the laboratories in order to carry out checks,” replies the service. An experience taking place without authorization can be discovered only if unige: experiences fish without authorization elements of suspicion are reported to the service. ”

Of the 105 checks carried out since 2023, only three inspections revealed minor shortcomings.

Experiences framed

Currently, twelve institutions are leading animal experiences in Geneva. The cantonal commission for animal experiences (CCEA). which meets every month, first gives its notice for any request with a degree of gravity greater than 0. Then, the SCAV gives its approval. In 2024, he issued 236 decisions.

The proper execution of experiences must be checked for at least one fifth. of the number of authorizations in progress each year. Unspinted checks can take place. Animal centers holding animals intended for experimentation must be inspected annually. These controls are made. ensures the SCAV, which organized a meeting between the main actors of animal experimentation unige: experiences fish without authorization last year to strengthen collaboration.

On the side of the university. it is the Faculty of Medicine which leads the majority of experiences (95% of animals in 2024). Some 219 experiences were authorized and active last year, a stable figure.

Each project must obtain authorization. On site, the control is not only provided by the SCAV. A director of animal experimentation and an animal protection delegate are appointed.

All requests are then revised by the Directorate of Animal Experimentation (DEA) of the University. then endorsed by the cantonal authorities. The Federal Office for Food Safety and Veterinary Affairs (OSAV) can appeal within thirty days. Experiences can only start after this period.

Minor irregularities are processed internally, with rectorate information. For serious cases, an internal investigation precedes unige: experiences fish without authorization a denunciation to the public prosecutor. “The SCAV is informed and can decide to take additional measures,” says Marco Cattaneo, spokesperson. Alert launchers have a secure platform.

In the event of an offense. fines up to 20,000 francs can be imposed, to which can be added a private sentence of 3 years at most.

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