Animal Ethics in Research

1
Animal Ethics in Research

• Professor Michael Wallach
• UTS/RNSH Animal Care and Ethics Committee

2
Why do we need an Animal Care Ethics Committee
at UTS and RNSH?

• ensure that experimentation complies with
  legislation
• ensure that facilities for housing, care, usage
  and disposal of animals are appropriate
• ensure proper and ethical animal care and welfare
• maintain accreditation of UTS RNSH
• point of referral for ALL matters concerning
  animal welfare and experimentation

3
What is the UTS/RNSH Animal Care Ethics
Committee (ACEC)?

• Membership
• veterinarian
• scientist
• animal welfare
• lay person
• ex officio (UTS ethicist, RNSH ethicist, animal
  house managers)

4
What is the UTS/RNSH ACEC?

• Ensure compliance with legislation
• Animal Research Act 1985 (amended 1997), Animal
  Research Regulation 1995, Prevention of Cruelty
  to Animals Act 1979, Australian (NHMRC) Code of
  Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for
  Scientific Purposes (2004) http//www.nhmrc.gov.au
  /issues/animalethics.htm
• Examine proposals for research
• approve, modify, reject, terminate
• Monitor research animals
• acquisition, transport, housing, care, use,
  disposal
• Deal with complaints
• Reporting lines
• directly to UTS Vice-Chancellor and RNSH
  Executive Officer
• Animal Welfare Unit (NSW Agriculture), Animal
  Research Review Panel

5
Animal Research Act

• The object of the Act is to
• protect the welfare of animals used in connection
  with research by requiring persons/organisations
  carrying out animal research or supplying animals
  for research to be authorised
• regulate the carrying out of research and the
  supply of animals for research
• restrict authorisation to recognised research
  purposes, that is, purposes involving the use of
  animals for research, teaching, testing and the
  production of biological products.

6
The Principle of the 3Rs

• Russell WMS Birch R (1959). The Principles of
  Humane Experimental Technique. Universities
  Federation for Animal Welfare, Hertsfordshire,
  England
• Reduction in the numbers of animals used
• Refinement of the techniques to minimise pain or
  distress
• Replacement with non-animal techniques

7
What makes a successful and ethical application
to utilise animals in research at UTS and RNSH?

• ensure staff listed are all the investigators in
  the project
• summarise the project briefly in lay terms
• ensure your reasons for doing the research are
  clearly concisely stated research outcomes
• Describe what will happen to animals through
  entire protocol
• State how the pain and distress to animals will
  be minimised
• Proper statistical evidence to justify animal
  numbers
• Animal monitoring sheet which is appropriate
• Other permits Biosafety licenses for native,
  imported or protected species

8
What makes a successful and ethical application
to utilise animals in research at UTS and RNSH?

• Remember ACEC has a broad range of members
• Convince us of the necessity to do these
  experiments with animals, in LAY TERMS
• Make it brief short background, aims, research
  plan and significance/outcome
• Dont cut-and-paste the text of a grant
  application

9
How do I obtain approval from ACEC to conduct
animal experimentation

• Fill out an application form (Research Office)
• Animal house needs to see it
• Send application to ACEC before the monthly
  closing date
• All committee members make written comments
• Applicants respond to committee comments
• Applications discussed at monthly ACEC meeting
• Decision to approve, modify, or reject
• Authority for experimentation sent to applicants
• Amendments can be requested
• animal numbers, change in staff/students,
  procedures