ASC101 Lectrue 1 - Animal Ethics Lecture_2025

Charles Sturt University - Animal Welfare and Ethics Overview

  • Celebration: Marking 30 years in 2019

  • Course Code: ASC101

Learning Objectives

  • Describe the composition of an Animal Ethics Committee (AEC).

  • Identify circumstances requiring an application to the AEC.

  • Define legal obligations for personnel working with animals.

  • Discuss relationships between animal management, health, and welfare implications.

Animal Use in Society

  • Purpose of Animal Use:

    • Animals are utilized for:

      • Food

      • Companionship

      • Sports

      • Entertainment

      • Research and education

  • Ethical Concerns:

    • Many uses involve some harm.

    • Public views vary from unethical to no ethical concern, often finding a middle ground (e.g., disease research vs. cosmetic testing).

    • The ethics of animal research have been debated since the emergence of modern medical science in the mid-19th century.

Sentience in Animals

  • Definition:

    • Sentience refers to the ability to experience feelings, pain, and distress.

  • Understanding animal sentience is crucial to assess welfare and ethical treatment.

Five Domains Model

  • Developed by: Mellor et al. (2020)

  • Incorporates human-animal interactions into welfare assessments.

  • Enhances the understanding of animal well-being.

Animal Use in Science

  • Historical Acceptance:

    • Practices like cosmetic and swim testing were once considered acceptable.

  • Increasing public concern over animal use in research highlights ethical treatment of animals.

  • Most regulations are founded on utilitarian principles—overall benefits should outweigh individual harms.

  • Ongoing question regarding what is considered ethically acceptable in contemporary society.

Need for Legislation

  • Legislation serves to:

    • Ensure consent for animal use that meets public scrutiny (i.e., social license).

    • Promote ethical, humane, and responsible animal care in scientific contexts.

    • Protect animal welfare under state laws in Australia.

    • Control activities that could be deemed animal cruelty under the law, requiring AEC approval.

Animal Welfare Legislation in NSW

  • Key Legislation:

    • Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979

    • Animal Research Act 1985

    • Exhibited Animals Protection Act 1986

  • Supporting Documents:

    • Regulations dictate application of legislative acts.

    • Important for ensuring the welfare of animals across various sectors.

Codes of Practice and Guidelines

  • Govern the care and welfare of:

    • Companion animals

    • Livestock

    • Animals used in research and teaching

    • Exhibited animals

  • Provide best practice guidelines and legal compliance requirements.

Animal Research Act 1985

  • Objective: Protect welfare of animals used for research by regulating individuals and organizations conducting research.

  • Definition of Animal: Includes vertebrates (fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals) and specific crustaceans under certain conditions.

Animal Research Review Panel

  • Investigates compliance and issues related to animal research.

  • Evaluates the effectiveness of codes of practice in managing research.

  • Addresses complaints and applications related to animal research.

Accreditation of Research Establishments

  • Animal research authorities are valid for 12 months, with possible shorter periods specified.

  • Requires establishments to have animal care and ethics committees supervising research conduct.

Australian Code for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes (2013)

  • Main Objectives:

    1. Justify research that benefits society and the ethical treatment of animals.

    2. Show that alternatives to animal use in research are unavailable.

    3. Prevent unnecessary pain or distress in animals used in procedures.

Definition of Scientific Purposes

  • Activities aimed at:

    • Knowledge acquisition and development across sciences including:

      • Teaching

      • Field trials

      • Environmental management

      • Biological, medical, and veterinary research

  • Also covers product testing and biological product production.

Governing Principles in the Australian Code

  • Six Principles:

    1. Only use animals when justified.

    2. Projects involving animals must have scientific or educational merit.

    3. Clear potential societal benefits must be evident.

    4. Animal use must be essential for project aims or educational outcomes.

    5. Minimum number of animals for valid data is to be used.

    6. Use techniques that have minimal adverse impacts on welfare.

Supporting Animal Wellbeing

  • Activities should allow animals to express natural behaviors.

  • Utilize current best practices for species care.

  • Consider cumulative welfare effects over an animal’s lifetime in acquisition, transportation, housing, and use in research.

Role of Animal Ethics Committees (AECs)

  • Approve or halt animal use for scientific purposes based on welfare evaluations.

  • Composition aims at a balanced review of applications to safeguard animal welfare.

  • Research without AEC approval can lead to prosecution for animal cruelty.

Composition of an Animal Ethics Committee

  • Category A: Veterinarians provide insights on pain and welfare.

  • Category B: Scientists/teachers as animal users assess relevance and statistical needs.

  • Category C: External experts committed to animal welfare consider implications.

  • Category D: Community members reflecting societal standards.

Ethics Approval Process

  • Fill out proposal forms at least one month prior to starting research.

  • Utilize plain language for clarity.

  • AEC reviews and discusses proposals leading to approvals or rejections.

3 Rs of Research

  • Replacement: Consider alternatives to animal use.

  • Reduction: Minimize the number of animals used maintaining valid scientific results.

  • Refinement: Enhance welfare and minimize pain/distress (e.g., through environmental enrichment).

Teaching with Animals

  • Monitor:

    • Frequency of animal use.

    • Student-to-animal ratio and level of intervention.

  • Maintain careful records to prevent stress in animals.

Post-Approval Responsibilities

  • Researchers must maintain detailed records for AEC review, including:

    • Animal origin and source.

    • Procedures performed.

    • Personnel details.

    • End of project welfare considerations.

Reporting Obligations

  • Annual reports required for each project.

  • Notify AEC promptly of unexpected adverse events.

  • Submit final reports upon project completion or discontinuation.

Professional Responsibilities

  • Be informed of legal obligations and codes of practice.

  • Uphold high standards in animal welfare.

  • Lead through demonstrated best practices.

Complaints Mechanisms

  • General animal welfare issues can be reported to:

    • RSPCA

    • Animal Welfare League of NSW

    • NSW Police

  • For animal research and teaching issues, contact the Animal Research Review Panel or Institutional Ethics Committee.

Ethical Thinking Exercise

  • Discuss the ethical implications of using large numbers of animals, like rats and Tasmanian devils, in research for human benefits (cancer drug development).

Final Quick Quiz

  • Engage in interactive quiz to review the material (code: 4639 2143).