Guidance on ethical issues involved in research with animals

University Policy Statement on the Use of Animals in Research

1. The University of Essex does not proscribe animal research.
2. As a matter of current practice, invasive animal research involving animals of protected species and research requiring a Home Office Licence under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 Amendment Regulations 2012 (ASPA) is not conducted on University premises. Members of staff who conduct animal testing which is deemed invasive or requires a Home Office Licence will do so in collaboration with another institution / organisation.
3. The University is fully committed to applying the principles of the NC3Rs initiative, which is used to improve the design and reporting of animal studies. Members of staff may undertake research involving animals of protected species which is non-invasive and research involving other animals not covered by ASPA when necessary. This research does not require a Home Office Licence. The University is continually seeking alternative methods and techniques that will enable researchers to further their research without involving animals, including research using human participants, computer models and statistical modelling. However, the complexity of animals cannot always be fully replicated by alternative systems, and the involvement of animals cannot completely be eliminated. Therefore, alternative methods and techniques may take place alongside, in conjunction, or as a replacement to research involving animals.
4. When members of the University undertake animal research in collaboration with another institution / organisation, such experiments will be subject to ethical procedures of that institution / organisation. In the case of research undertaken by staff in collaboration with another institution, a judgement must be taken as to the appropriateness of that institution’s ethical procedures. Documents relating to the ethical approval of the research must be submitted to the University Ethics Committee for ratification prior to commencement of the research.
5. Other research involving animals carried out on the University’s premises or under the auspices of the University will be subject to the University’s usual ethics review procedures. For studies involving both research procedures that animals undergo and research using humans, a single ethics application must be submitted to cover both the animal research activities and human.
6. Staff and students are given the opportunity to opt out of research conducted on animals.

Download a copy of the University Policy Statement on the Use of Animals in Research

Guidelines for ethical approval of research involving animals (.pdf).

This document sets out the University requirements, including the protection and rights of animal subjects and researchers. These guidelines should be read in conjunction with the published University Policy Statement on the Use of Animals in Research to which they link.