Animal Welfare Policy

At Al-Mustansiriyah Journal of Science, we are committed to upholding the highest ethical standards in scientific research, particularly concerning the use of animals in research and experimentation. We recognize that the welfare of animals is a fundamental aspect of scientific responsibility, and we strive to ensure that all research published in our journal adheres to internationally recognized best practices for animal care and use.

Core Principles:

  1. Humane Treatment: All animals involved in research must be treated humanely, with attention to their physical and psychological well-being. Efforts should be made to minimize pain, distress, and suffering.
  2. Ethical Standards: Research involving animals must comply with internationally recognized ethical principles, such as the "3Rs" (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement). Researchers should seek to replace animals with non-living alternatives wherever possible, reduce the number of animals used, and refine experimental procedures to minimize harm.
  3. Licensing and Approval: Researchers must obtain all necessary licenses and approvals from institutional Animal Care and Use Committees (IACUCs) or equivalent ethics boards before commencing any research involving animals. The journal will not accept submissions of research that lack appropriate ethical approvals.
  4. Transparency in Reporting: Authors are required to provide detailed and transparent descriptions of how animals were handled during the study, including the measures taken to ensure their welfare. This information should be included in the Methods section of manuscripts submitted for publication.
  5. Compliance with Laws and Regulations: All research involving animals must comply with relevant national and international laws, regulations, and guidelines concerning animal welfare and research.
  6. Ethical Responsibility: We encourage researchers to deeply consider the ethical implications of using animals in their work, ensuring that such use is scientifically and ethically justified.

Policy Implementation:

  1. Review Process: Every submission involving animal research undergoes rigorous evaluation by our editorial team and peer reviewers to ensure adherence to our Animal Welfare Policy.
  2. Continuous Improvement: The journal is committed to regularly reviewing and updating its Animal Welfare Policy to align with the latest ethical and scientific standards.

We regard animal welfare as an integral component of our commitment to responsible scientific research and are dedicated to supporting and promoting practices that ensure the highest levels of care in scientific studies.