Researchers at BGU and all other Institutions of higher learning in Israel are obligated under the law to safeguard the wellbeing of laboratory animals employed for the purpose of teaching or scientific investigation. While recognizing that some stress or discomfort is sometimes unavoidable, researchers must strive to minimize pain and distress wherever possible. This concern for the welfare of animals does not begin and end with the Animal Welfare Law passed by the Knesset in 1994. Indeed the name of the committee that oversees the care and use of laboratory animals here at BGU includes the word ‘ethical’, which is absent from the generic term ‘IACUC – Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee’, used by virtually every such committee in the U.S.  The Committee for the Ethical Care and Use of Animals in Research (CECUAR) at BGU emphasizes its commitment to strive for the highest and most humane level of care.   The CECUAR is the local arm of the National Council for Animal Research in Israel. Our primary mission is to assist researchers at BGU to plan and conduct their studies in a manner consistent with the Law and with the ethical norms of our society.  The CECUAR is composed of researchers and non-researchers, professionals and laymen. An expert in law/ethics sits on the committee in addition to a board-certified veterinarian. Those members involved in research include behavioral and neurobiologists, immunologists and virologists.   The CECUAR reviews all research, testing, and teaching projects involving the use of a live vertebrate animal. We share, therefore, with the investigator, the responsibility for the technical and ethical decisions made regarding the care and use of animals. The investigator, however, assumes the principal responsibility, and it is the investigator as well as other personnel involved in the care and use of animals that ultimately assures the fulfillment of the legal and ethical values of this institution.	28.10.2010   לכל החוקרים שמשתמשים באתר המועצה לניסוי בבע"ח של משרד הבריאות   עקב שינויים שמשרד הבריאות מבצע בימים אלה באתרם   יש שינוי בכניסה   כאשר מופיע בכניסה -מקום היוזר והסיסמא בכתום נכנסים עם הסיסמא רגיל והיוזר bgumail1   כאשר מופיע אתר בגוון תכלת לבן היוזר הינו bgumail   לתשומת ליבכם
	Towards this end, the CECUAR carries out the following functions:   ·     Reviews and if necessary suggests and  enforces modifications of protocols for use of animals in research, teaching, field trials, environmental and behavioral studies, product testing, and the production of biological materials.   ·     Ensures the housing and care of animals are provided in accordance with Guidelines of the Moetza.   ·     Ensures that personnel involved in care and use of animals are suitably qualified and trained, through an annual course administered and taught by members of the CECUAR.   ·     Liaises with the National Committee on the Ethical Use of Animals for Research (Moetza).   ·     Conducts inspections of animal use and housing facilities to ensure compliance of approved animal use protocols.