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Research Ethics Office - Animal Ethics

Animal Ethics Committee (AEC)

Reduction - Replacement - Refinement

FIRST FORMED: 1986

Its Role

The primary role of the Murdoch Animal Ethics Committee is to ensure that all animal care and use is conducted in accordance with the Australian Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes - 7th Edition 2004 and incorporates the principles of Replacement, Reduction and Refinement.

Who is on it?

There are 10 members in four categories plus the Chairperson, the Manager of Research Services, the
Animal Ethics Officer and the Farm Manager. One of the members is trained in statistics. Categories are:

1. Veterinary Surgeon
2. Researcher
3. Animal Welfare Group Representative
4. Community Member

What does it do?

The AEC oversees the use of animals in teaching and research, mainly through the Animal Ethics Officer. The scope of the AEC includes:

• Alternatives to animal use
• Health
• Diet
• Transport
• Housing
• Procedure used
• Skills of Investigators

Animal Ethics Committee approval is required before any animals may be used for research or teaching purposes

When does it meet?

The Animal Ethics Committee meets approximately every six weeks. Click here for meeting dates.

Terms of Reference of the AEC

1. Approve guidelines for the care of animals that are bred, held and used for scientific purposes on behalf of the institution;
2. Monitor the acquisition, transportation, production, housing, care, uses and fate of animals;
3. Recommend to the institution any measures needed to ensure that the standards of the Australian Code of Practice for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes published by the National Health and Medical Research Council, (hereafter referred to as the Code) are maintained;
4. Describe how members are appointed, re-appointed, or retired, according to procedures developed by the institution in consultation with the AEC;
5. Require that all members declare any conflict of interest;
6. Deal with situations in which a conflict of interest arises (see 2.2.10 (vi));
7. Examine and approve, approve subject to modification, or reject written proposals relevant to the use of animals for scientific purposes;
8. Approve only those studies for which animals are essential and justified and which conform to the requirements of the Code. This should take into consideration factors including ethics, the impact on the animal or animals and the anticipated scientific or educational value;
9. Withdraw approval for any project (see 2.2.33);
10. Authorise the emergency treatment or euthanasia of any animal (see 2.2.36);
11. Examine and comment on all institutional plans and policies that may affect the welfare of animals used for scientific purposes;
12. Maintain a record of proposals and projects (see 2.2.24);
13. Comply with the reporting requirements of the institution and the Code (see 2.2.40); and
14. Perform all other duties required by the Code.