Process for research involving animals

Where animals are involved, Oxford Brookes University requires the very highest level of ethical conduct and practice. The reduction of any harm and discomfort caused to animals must always be a priority consideration. The University Research Ethics Committee (UREC) has responsibility for reviewing applications for studies involving animals. In addition, any research carried out should follow the guidelines as set out by the relevant professional bodies, which runs parallel to the University's Review Process.

All research involving animals or animal tissue should adhere to the principles of Replacement, Reduction and Refinement (the Three Rs):

Replacement is the principle that, wherever possible, a scientifically satisfactory method of testing strategy not entailing the use of animals must be used instead of a regulated procedure.
Reduction is the principle that, wherever a programme of work involving the use of animals is carried out, the number of animals used must be reduced to a minimum without compromising the objectives of the programme. On occasions it may be necessary to use a greater number of animals than the absolute minimum scientifically justifiable if each individual animal will suffer less as a consequence of the greater number being used. The principle of reduction should apply to methods of breeding animals as well as their use in procedures.
Refinement is the principle that, wherever a programme of work involving the use of animals is carried out (after rigorously applying the principles of replacement), the regulated procedures applied to those animals must be refined so as to eliminate or reduce to the minimum any possible pain, suffering, distress or lasting harm. As indicated above, refinement and reduction must be considered in balance. Refinement applies to the methods of breeding, accommodation and care of animals as well as the methods used in procedures.

Review process

The process is for the ethics review of any research study involving animals or animal tissue, including those licensed under the ASPA Act 1986 and non-ASPA research (Licensed and Non-Licensed Research). A review should be undertaken for all work, both in the UK or abroad, by any staff or student researcher where animals or animal tissue will be used. Applications will be reviewed by UREC, which meets twice a semester. Where necessary, representatives from those faculties with relevant expertise will be invited to attend the meeting and advise on submitted applications.

Licensed research

In the UK, all scientific procedures carried out on protected animals (living vertebrates, and cephalopods; at defined stages of development) are regulated by the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA) and Directive 2010/63/EU. For the purposes of the Act, a protected animal is defined as all living vertebrates, other than a human, including certain immature and embryonic forms, and any living cephalopod. The relevant ASPA licences must be in place for the person, location and project.

Licences are issued by the Home Office. The principal investigator must ensure they are in receipt of the appropriate Home Office licences for all regulated procedures the project requires the use of. For staff this may mean obtaining a new project licence (PPL) and/or personal licence (PIL). The study will be reviewed by the UREC which will review the study for:

quality and value of the research
the amount of suffering potentially experienced by any animal on trial
whether there are appropriate staff, facilities, and funding in place to run the project to the highest standard and ensure the highest level of welfare for the animals involved.

Researchers should submit form Ethics Review for Licensed Research Involving Animals (AER2) Google form, which will be reviewed by the University Ethics Office within 3-5 working days.

Non-licensed research

For research involving animals not covered by the ASPA legislation (non-licensed), there is a light touch ethics review process. As with licensed research, the study will be reviewed with regard to ethics, welfare and the Three Rs. Studies will be reviewed by the University Research Ethics Office, and reported on to UREC.

Animals used in non-licensed research at Oxford Brookes may include, but are not restricted to:

vertebrates purchased or bred for genetic studies or work on isolated tissue (Schedule 1 usage). This includes undergraduate practical classes (e.g. rodents and chicks)
invertebrates (e.g. locusts, moths, slugs) which may require licensing by Defra
wild or domesticated animals used for observational experiments (e.g. wild birds and fish in behavioural studies)
various animals which are observed as examples of biodiversity in undergraduate teaching and UCAS open days (e.g. snakes, spiders, axolotls)
the use of embryos, such as chick embryos
all animal research and testing carried out in other countries of the world (e.g. wild bird migration studies).

Researchers should submit form Ethics Review for Non-Licensed Research Involving Animals (AER1) Google form, which will be reviewed by the University Ethics Office within 3-5 working days.

Guidelines on the observation, handling and care of animals in field research

Any research carried out that involves the observation and handling of an animal, bird or insect in field research in the wild must be shown to adhere to guidelines as set out by professional bodies. This runs parallel to the University's Code of Practice for Academic Integrity that sets out the procedures of the University with respect to the promotion of good practice in research. Where animals are being observed in their natural habitat, care must be taken not to damage or otherwise disturb their environment and, where applicable, official permits must be obtained from the appropriate governing body of the country concerned prior to any animals being disturbed or collected for study.

In the field different creatures are encountered in a variety of studies aimed at:

Understanding behaviour and any ecological impact
The conservation of species
Population management
Evaluating methodologies for control
Understanding the role of wildlife in the transmission of disease

Although most researchers in this area of expertise will be members of, or affiliated to, a professional body and will be aware of good practice and guidelines in observing and handling animals in field research, the following information should be used as a basic guide for information.