Ethics of Research involving animals
Appendix 4: Method of working
In 2001, the Council held a workshop that addressed ethical issues arising from research involving animals. Subsequently, in February 2003, the Working Party on the ethics of research involving animals was established. Twelve meetings were held between February 2003 and December 2004. As part of its work, the Working Party held nine fact-finding meetings. Five of these took the form of discussions with experts and stakeholders at the offices of the Nuffield Council. Four meetings took place at animal research facilities, where members familiarised themselves with the practice of research, and discussed scientific, ethical and legal issues with those involved. Brief descriptions of these meetings are provided below.1 The Working Party also commissioned three evidence reviews relating to the assessment of pain, suffering and distress in animals. These were provided by Professor Colin Allan, Professor Marc Bekoff and Professor David Morton. From September to December 2003, the Working Party held a wider consultation, the responses to which are summarised in Appendix 5. The Working Party is extremely grateful to all those who took the time and contributed to its work by providing valuable insights and helping to clarify the complexities of scientific, regulatory, social and ethical issues raised by research involving animals.
Fact-finding meetings2
14 May 2003, London
Meeting at 28 Bedford Square, as part of the second meeting of the Working Party
Michele Corrado
Director of Social and Health Research, MORI Social Research Institute
Programme:
- Presentation of a recent study by MORI for CMP (Coalition for Medical Progress) on attitudes of members of the public towards research involving animals;
- discussion about the findings of the research and methodological issues concerning the generation, presentation and use of data arising from polls.
2 July 2003, Pfizer, Sandwich
Members of the Working Party who attended the meeting included Baroness Perry of Southwark (Chair), Professor Barry Keverne FRS, Professor Martin Raff FRS, Nick Ross, Professor Jonathan Wolff, Dr Sandy Thomas and Harald Schmidt Staff at Pfizer:
Dr Gill Samuels CBE
Senior Director, Science Policy and Scientific Affairs
Graham Moore
Consultant (Science Policy and Scientific Affairs)
Anon.
Certificate Holder
Anon.
Named Veterinary Surgeon
Anon.
Named Animal Care and Welfare Officer
Anon.
Director of Animal Welfare
Anon.
Project Licence Holder – Veterinary Medicines
Anon.
Personal Licensee – Human Medicinals
Anon.
Home Office Liaison Officer
Programme:
- Introduction to drug discovery and development at Pfizer;
- discussion: sourcing, husbandry and use of animals in human and veterinary research, transferring results from animals to humans, regulatory aspects of animal research, ethical review and decision making, engagement with the public and information programmes;
- tour of the ‘small animal’ animal facilities and discussion with staff on current medicines research programmes involving rodents and terminally anaesthetised rabbits (a scheduled visit to the dog laboratories was cancelled because the facilities were not accessible on the day of the visit due to construction work; however, members were invited to view these on another occasion);
- tour of non-animal research area and introduction to Automated Laboratory In Vitro Assay Systems (ALIAS).
16 September 2003, London
Meeting at 28 Bedford Square, as part of the fourth meeting of the Working Party
Rosie Barnes
Chief Executive, Cystic Fibrosis Trust
Christine Cryne
Executive Director, Muscular Dystrophy Campaign
Robert Meadowcroft
Director of Information, Policy and Research, Parkinson’s Disease Society
Programme:
- Introductions to the campaigning and information activities of the charities;
- discussion about the usefulness of animal models for cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy and Parkinson’s disease; decisions about funding research on animals; outreach and relation to activist groups; concerns of members of charities about research on animals and the question of whether or not it poses a moral dilemma.
3 October 2003, Biology Department, University of York Members of the Working Party who attended the meeting included Nick Ross, Professor John Spencer, Professor Jonathan Wolff, Dr Sandy Thomas and Harald Schmidt.
Staff at the Biology Department of the University of York:
Dr Patricia Coulson
Dr Betsy Pownall
Dr Harv Isaacs
Professor Henry Leese
Professor Alan Wilson
Mike Snelling
Professor Alistair Fitter
Dr Piran White
Professor Geoff Hall
Programme
- Introduction to basic and applied research involving amphibians and rodents;
- tour of the animal facilities and discussion of scientific, regulatory and ethical issues with staff and students relating to developmental studies on fertilised eggs of frogs; studies for improved fertility treatment using mice, and cattle and pig embryos; the development of a schistosomiasis vaccine involving snails, worms and mice.
1 The Working Party also intended to familiarise themselves with the practice and rationale of primate research classified as
‘substantial’. This interest was discussed with staff of the Home Office and it was agreed that the Home Office would forward a letter outlining the Working Party’s request to visit research facilities that undertook such research. A letter was sent to the Home Office in February 2004. The Council received one reply from a research institute in July 2004, and contact was initiated to schedule a visit. However, it did not prove possible to arrange a fact finding meeting. Staff at the research institute were concerned about the institutional affiliations of some members of the Working Party.
2 Institutional affiliations at the time of the meeting are listed.