University Policy on the Use of Animals in Scientific Research

The University of Oxford is one of the world’s leading centres for biomedical research, with outstanding strengths in both basic science and its clinical application. It has consistently been at the forefront of innovative and life-saving science. Oxford researchers today are involved in developing treatments for diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, HIV, malaria and tuberculosis, as well as cognitive disorders such as autism and depression. Oxford scientists are also leaders in fundamental research, which provides the starting point for advances in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease.

Research using animals is a small part of the University’s overall programme of biomedical research. The majority of research is carried out using either in-vitro techniques or the study of human beings. However, whilst non-animal methods help to reduce the numbers of animals used in research, they cannot completely replace the use of animals. Neither in-vitro techniques nor computer modelling are adequate when it is necessary to replicate the complex interactions of a whole living body, and the use of humans is limited by what is considered to be ethically acceptable and by increasingly strict legislative controls. In general, all methods used by the University in its biomedical research – whether animal, in-vitro or human – are complementary, reflecting different stages of a long, complex and inter-dependent process.

The University’s policy is to minimise the use of animals in research, consistent with the need to make significant advances on important problems of human health. Where such research is necessary, the University will provide accommodation and care for its animals that exceed, wherever possible, the standards prescribed by the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act (ASPA), delivered by professionally trained staff, committed to a culture of care. The University will pursue continually techniques that reduce the number of animals involved in research.

The use of animals in scientific research carries with it a moral responsibility for the welfare of another living creature, as well as specific legal responsibilities under ASPA and other relevant legislation. All those using animals in research will treat them with consideration and respect, in accordance with a culture of care. Good animal welfare is an important goal in its own right, as well as an integral element of good science.

The University is committed to ensuring that all those involved in animal-based research (scientists, veterinary surgeons and animal technicians) are pro-active in pursuing the replacement, reduction and refinement of animal use (the 3Rs), engage fully in the ethical review process, and fulfil their moral and legal responsibilities for the care and welfare of animals.

Replacement

The University is committed to ensuring that animals are used only when there is no alternative.

The University meets this commitment by:

• requiring applicants for project licences (licences issued by the Home Office authorising the use of animals in a programme of research) to demonstrate that they have given full consideration to non-animal methods and have consulted the information on alternatives available on the web;
• investing in the continued development of non-animal methods, such as computer modelling and imaging technology;
• promoting awareness of non-animal methods through its teaching and seminar programmes; and
• engaging with outside experts on the replacement of animals in scientific research, to exchange views and explore new ideas.

Reduction

The University is committed to ensuring that researchers use the minimum number of animals needed to meet their scientific objectives.

The University meets this commitment by:

• reviewing regularly the numbers of animals used under individual project licences and asking for reductions, where appropriate;
• providing researchers with professional statistical advice on the design and analysis of their experiments; and
• managing breeding programmes carefully, so as to avoid or minimise surplus animals.

Refinement

The University is committed to achieving the highest possible standards of animal care and welfare and to ensuring that all those involved in the use of animals practise a culture of care.

The University meets this commitment by:

• requiring researchers to apply the most refined methods in their work at all times and to keep pace with new developments;
• providing the best possible standards of care and accommodation that, wherever possible, exceed the standards prescribed under ASPA;
• promoting awareness of best practice through education and training;
• recognising individual achievement in the application of the 3Rs; and
• contributing to innovation in the 3Rs, both by developing local initiatives and by participating in national working groups established by the National Centre for the 3Rs (NC3Rs) and other bodies.

Ethical review process

All applications for project licences require the ethical approval of the University before they can be passed to the Home Office for further scrutiny.

The University is committed to maintaining a rigorous and objective process of ethical review that challenges scientists to justify their use of animals, and that requires them, where the use of animals is unavoidable, to minimise animal numbers and maximise animal welfare.

The University meets this commitment by:

• reviewing regularly all project licences to ensure that ethical review is an on-going and dynamic process that keeps pace with new developments;
• appointing to its ethical review committees representatives who are not involved in animal-based research or are not members of the applicant’s department;
• ensuring that veterinary and animal care staff play a key role in the ethical review process; and
• keeping under regular review the composition and operation of ethical review committees to ensure they remain effective.

Education and training

The University is committed to ensuring that all those working with animals possess the necessary skills and satisfy their responsibilities under ASPA.

The University meets this commitment by:

• providing high-quality training for those requiring project or personal licences under ASPA, together with opportunities for refresher courses to enable them to update their skills;
• ensuring that those working under ASPA are aware of their roles and responsibilities;
• organising regular seminars on matters related to the 3Rs; and
• encouraging a team approach to animal work that fosters good communication and collaboration between all those involved in the care and welfare of animals.

Non-human primates

The University considers that the use of non-human primates is likely to remain necessary for certain limited and clearly defined purposes, in line with the conclusions reached by the working group chaired by Sir David Weatherall in its report ‘The use of non-human primates in research'. However, any proposal to use non-human primates will continue to receive close scrutiny during ethical review to determine whether the objectives could be achieved by using other species.

Council

It is the responsibility of Council to formulate and keep under regular review the University’s policy on the use of animals in scientific research and to ensure that sufficient resources are allocated for its implementation.

Certificate Holder

The Registrar is the Certificate Holder for the University, with overall responsibility for implementation of this policy and for the University’s compliance with ASPA. Specific duties include ensuring effective co-ordination and communication amongst all those involved in animal work and supporting the work of veterinary and animal care staff. The Supervisor of Veterinary Services and the Director of Biomedical Services report direct to the Certificate Holder.

Heads of Division

Heads of Division provide strategic support for the Certificate Holder in the delivery of this policy.

Heads of Department

Heads of department represent the Certificate Holder at departmental level and are responsible for ensuring that members of their department carry out animal work in accordance with this policy and ASPA.

Biomedical Services and Veterinary Services

The Department of Biomedical Services has day-to-day responsibility for the accommodation and care of animals. The Department of Veterinary Services is responsible for the veterinary treatment of animals and for advising researchers on all matters related to animal health and welfare, including the impact of scientific procedures.

Ethical Review Committees

The Committee on Animal Care and Ethical Review, which reports direct to Council, has overall responsibility for the University’s ethical review process and for monitoring standards of animal health and welfare. It has two sub-committees responsible for matters relating to non-human primates and promotion of the 3Rs. The committee reviews the more complex applications for project licences, defined as those involving the use of non-human primates, protocols of substantial severity or novel procedures. All other applications are considered by one of five departmental committees. Ethical review committees advise the Certificate Holder on whether the benefits of research outweigh the costs to the animal. The final decision on ethical review rests with the Certificate Holder.

Staff and students

This policy applies to all those involved in the use of animals in scientific research, whether as staff or students. The University expects them to take personal responsibility for familiarising themselves with the policy and with their statutory responsibilities under ASPA.

The University regards any breach of this policy or any breach of the terms of a project or personal licence issued under ASPA, as a very serious matter, which may result in disciplinary action, the ultimate sanction being dismissal for staff and expulsion for students. In appropriate circumstances, the Certificate Holder has the power under ASPA to withdraw permission for the individual concerned to work with animals, whether as part of disciplinary proceedings or otherwise.