Book 3: Use of Animals in Research and Training

Contributors to this book
Dr JC Austin Manager, Medical Research Council Delft Animal Centre, Cape Town

Prof D du Toit Department of Biomedical Sciences, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria

Mr N Fraser Manager, Special Projects and Research, National Council of SPCAs, Johannesburg

Mr P Lloyd Scientific Services, Cape Nature, Stellenbosch

Mr D Mansfield School of Psychology, University of KwaZulu- Natal, Pietermaritzburg

Dr A Macleod Veterinarian, Special Projects and Research, National Council of SPCAs, Johannesburg

Prof JSJ Odendaal Research Development, Faculty of Health Sciences, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria

Dr J Seier Director, Primate Facility, Diabetes Research Group, Medical Research Council, Cape Town

Book 3: Use of Animals in Research and Training

Complete book available in pdf format (250 kb)

	Foreword to the first edition
1.	What is the South African Medical Research Council's ethics policy on animal experimentation?
1.1	General policy
2.	For whom the Guidelines are intended
3.	Ethical principles
3.1	Moral philosophy
3.2	Utilitarian ethic
3.3	Human obligations towards laboratory animals
3.4	Humaneness and the principles of humane experimental techniques
3.5	The ethical review process
4.	Ethical code of behaviour of researchers, educators and animal care staff
4.1	The animal subjects
4.2	Fairness and objectivity
4.3	Competence
4.4	Responsibility
4.5	Integrity
4.6	Sensitivity
5.	An ethical basis for using animals for research, teaching and education
5.1	The moral issue of experimentation on humans and animals
5.2	Present needs
6.	Human obligations and duties
6.1	Proper regulation of laboratory animal use
6.2	Public information
6.3	Replacement of use of animals in research and education
7.	A legal mandate for animal studies
8.	The ethical review process
8.1	Directive and policy
8.2	Ethics Committee for Research on Animals (ECRA)
8.3	Membership of ECRA
9.	Form of application for ethical review
9.1	Written proposals
9.2	Form of proposal
9.3	Checklist of information required for ethical analysis
10.	Template of MRC's application form for ethical review by the ECRA
11..	ECRA operating procedures
11.1	Appointment of Committee
11.2	Duration of membership
11.3	Election of Chairperson and quorum
11.4	Administrative support
11.5	Meetings
11.6	Chairperson's approval
11.7	Co- options
11.8	Recording of proceedings
11.9	Equity in ethical review
11.10	Grant application approvals
11.11	Communication with applicants
11.12	Adverse decisions and appeal
11.13	ECRA register
11.14	Monitoring
11.15	Reports
12.	Responsibility for the welfare of research workers, educators and technical support personnel
13.	Responsibility for the welfare of laboratory animals confined within breeding and experimental holding facilities
14.	Responsibility for compliance with statutes and provincial ordinances that specifically regulate some aspects of animal experimentation
15.	Responsibilities of researchers, educators and animal care personnel
16.	Responsibilities of institutions whose staff receive MRC funding, collaboration and support for animal experimentation
17.	References
18.	Annexures (pdf format, 124 kb)
	Anexure 1. Rules relating to the practising of the para- veterinary profession of Laboratory Animal Technologist (Notice 1445 of 1997, Government Gazette, 3 October 1997)
	Anexure 2. Application for ethical review of a proposal to use sentient animals (including their embryos and fetuses) for either research, teaching or testing
	Anexure 3. A decisional system for the ethical evaluation of animal experiments by Animal Research Ethics Committees (after Stafleu et al. 14)

Last updated:
12-Feb-2013

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