The CSIR affirms that upholding the highest ethical standards in a research community is a principle of integrity, trust, collegiality and justice. CSIR requires that research conducted by all staff members must be in compliance with the CSIR research ethics policy.

A Research Ethics Committee (REC) has been established to review all research projects with ethical issues to ensure that the required ethical standards are met. The REC will also provide guidance and assistance to CSIR personnel regarding research ethics.

Research proposals submitted by CSIR researchers which contain ethical issues that involve and impact on the following will be evaluated:

• Human participants
• Biospecimens and cell lines
• Genomic and genetic data
• Human embryos and stem cells
• Animals/Aquatics
• Genetic manipulation of biological organisms
• The environment