Ethics: Research with Animals

UWS complies with the Australian Code of Practice for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes, the NSW Animal Research Act and its Regulations. In addition there are other Guidelines and Codes that must be complied with:

• Australian Agricultural Council Codes of Practice for Animal Welfare
• Guidelines issued by Gene Technology Regulator.

Researchers wishing to work with native species must receive approval from the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.

All research or teaching exercises involving the use of animals must have the approval of the UWS Animal Care and Ethics Committee before it can proceed. The ACEC is a representative Committee made up of animal researchers, veterinarians, animal welfare representatives and independent members.

The ACEC has the responsibility to approve proposals (with or without modification) and provide ongoing monitoring of projects and animal holding facilities. By law the Committee is required to maintain accurate records on the use and disposal of any animals at UWS. Researchers are encouraged to attend meetings of the ACEC in the initial presentation of protocols and Committee members value the input of researchers to enhance the effective functioning of the Committee.

As a general principle the ACEC accepts the use of animals in research and teaching providing there is:

1. a demonstrated educational or research benefit
2. no suitable alternatives available at the time eg. video
3. a minimum number of animals used
4. a demonstrated effort to minimise the likely impact on the welfare of the animals used.

ACEC Chair: Dr Jo-Anne Chuck
Deputy Chair: Dr Julie Old

Contact the Research Ethics Coordinator for help with and information on ACEC operating procedures, administrative queries, legislation, policies, guidelines pertaining to your project, forms to be submitted, amendments, extensions, reporting of adverse effects or unexpected deaths of animals and complaints.

The postal address is:

Research Ethics Coordinator
Office of Research Services
Kingswood Campus, Bldg K.1.48
Locked Bag 1797
PENRITH SOUTH DC 1797 NSW 1797
AUSTRALIA