MRC National Institute for Medical Research, London
Science for Health
Ethical Review Process
Each research programme of the Institute is reviewed for the Medical Research Council by national and international experts every five years. They address the quality of the research and the procedures that it requires.
Since April 1999 a local Ethical Review Process has been required by law in all establishments using animals, including NIMR. The overall aim of the Ethical Review Process at the Institute is:
To ensure NIMR's compliance, both in practice and in spirit, with the objectives of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, particularly with regard to the application of the 3 R's (Refinement, Reduction and Replacement), thus minimising the pain, suffering, distress and lasting harm experienced by the Institute's experimental animals and maximising the validity and quality of the Institute's experimental science.
(Quote from local NIMR Ethical Review Policy document)
What our Ethical Review Process does
- Critically examines every application for a Project Licence, or amendment, prior to its submission to the Home Office, to ensure that full consideration has been given to the welfare of each animal.
- Assesses the ethical implications of the research by weighing expected benefits of the research against the likely costs to the animals. Recommendations to reduce numbers of animals or change the design of an experiment may be made by the Ethical Review Panel.
- Monitors animal health and welfare matters and oversees standards of animal care and accommodation
- Promotes the development and implementation of the 3 R's from project inception, throughout the duration of the project, to retrospective project reviews
- Oversees and, where necessary, arranges the training and ensures the competence of all staff involved with animal use
- Provides a forum for discussion of issues relating to animal use
- Disseminates ethical advice and information on best practice and relevant legislation to all staff who work with animals
- Reviews the Institute's animal-associated managerial systems, procedures and protocols to ensure the highest standards of animal welfare are maintained.
How the Ethical Review Process is carried out
Members of NIMR's Ethical Review Process meet at least quarterly, but as often as necessary, to pursue and review matters above. Minutes of all meetings are retained as they may be later accessed by Home Office inspectors who also have the right to attend meetings.
Constituent members and their responsibilities
The constituent committees of NIMR's Ethical Review Process are represented by a number of staff: scientists, animal technicians, maintenance and administrative staff. It also includes an external lay member from the local community. The Named Veterinary Surgeon must be present at each meeting of each committee.
The members, process and members responsibilities are represented in the Ethical Review Process diagram (PDF format), and in the plain text representation below.
| Committee/ member | Responsibilities |
|---|---|
| Certificate holder | Accountable to the Home Office on all aspects of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. Ensures good communication with all those holding responsibilities. Responsible for ensuring systems and procedures are in place to manage standards and training. Responsible for the operation of the local ethical review process.
Receives report from Ethical review Panel. |
| Heads of Division Committee | Ensures dissemination of reports and recommendations to all staff. Receives report from Ethical review Panel. |
| Ethical Review Panel | Principal function is to provide the certificate holder with independent ethical advice, and to conduct ethical reviews of all personal and project licence applications. Receives reports from Sub-Committees. |
| Animal Facilities Sub-Committee | Principal responsibility for overall standards of animal accommodation and environment at the Institute. Makes recommendations, including building service recommendations. |
| Animal Care and Use Sub-Committee | Oversees animal care and welfare, specifically by providing a forum for the discussion of issues relating to animal use, and to monitor animal health and welfare matters. |
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