Principles of ethical research apply to the use of animals in all University teaching programs and research projects. The use of animals in research and teaching is acceptable only if it promises to contribute to understanding of fundamental principles, or to development of knowledge that can reasonably be expected to benefit humans or animals.
Animals should be used only if the researcher’s or instructor’s best efforts to find an alternative have failed. A continuing sharing of knowledge, reviewing the literature, and adherence to Russell-Birch “3R” tenet are also requisites. The “3Rs” stands for “Replacement, Reduction and Refinement” and indicates that those using animals should employ the most humane methods possible on the minimum number of the most appropriate species necessary to obtain valid information.
The use of animals of research, teaching or testing at Brock University animal-based science program is subject to ethical requirements under the Ontario Animals for Research Act, the Canadian Council of Animal Care Guidelines for the Care and Use of Experimental Animals, and Brock University’s policies as outlined in the Faculty Handbook, Policy Statement 2.3 Animal Care and Use.
Those planning to maintain and use live animals for the purposes of teaching or research must adhere to a set of guidelines outlined in the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) “Guide to the Care and Use of Experimental Animals”, Vols. I and II, and to the regulations set forth in the Ontario Animals for Research Act of 1980 and its revisions. They must submit an Animal Use Protocol (AUP) to the Animal Care Committee (ACC) before animals are acquired. The ACC reviews all work involving the use of live vertebrates at Brock University.
Approved protocols are subject to Post Approval Monitoring (PAM) visits to collaboratively support researchers attain the highest level of care for research animals, their protocols and adherence to regulatory requirements. The goal of the PAM Program is to collaboratively and collegially ensure animal well-being and compliance with the procedures described in the AUPs as approved by the ACC. This program has annually scheduled on-site visits from members of the ACC during the first year of an animal protocol.
The University has a moral commitment to provide appropriate care of, and respect for, animals involved in animal-based science. Therefore, the University supports an Animal Care and Use Program which is responsible for all aspects of humane animal care and animal-based science.
The Animal Care and Use Program is an important component of Brock’s initiatives to become a comprehensive university with more active research and more graduate programs. The Comparative Bioscience Facility (CBF) in the Cairns Building was built with a vision of enabling future research goals and expanding our research programs in anticipation of attracting dynamic new hires.
This vision has been partly realized with the hiring of three Canada Research Chairs and other award-winning faculty members who perform animal research and train graduate students in Biological Sciences, Health Sciences, Kinesiology, Neuroscience, Psychology and occasionally Chemistry. Research supported by the Animal Care and Use Program is innovative and has an impact in areas of health, wellness, medicine, the environment and business.
No work with vertebrate animals may be performed prior to approval granted by the ACC. The ACC bears the responsibility of ensuring that all animal-based science performed at Brock is conducted in accordance with best of class practices in Canada and internationally, and at minimum the policies and guidelines of the CCAC as amended from time to time. To maintain Good Animal Practice (GAP) certification, the Animal Care and Use Program is assessed regularly by the CCAC every three to five years and Brock must comply by responding to CCAC recommendations.
In addition, a provincial veterinary inspector from OMAFRA conducts an annual inspection in order to assess the operation of the ACC, housing facilities and quality of care. Bi-annual inspections of housing facilities are also conducted by one of the clinical veterinarians on the ACC. PAM visits to instructors and researchers are conducted by an ad hoc committee of the ACC either annually and/or during the first year of an animal project.