Ethical Review

Ethical review is a long-established part of the process that sets up clinical trials with human volunteers or patients. It's now being applied to animals too.

Typically, a teaching hospital or other institution will look at proposals for clinical trials to reassure themselves the study is appropriate and will be in the best interests of those taking part. Since 1999, animal studies have also been subject to ethical review at each of the 240 establishments permitted to carry out such procedures. So even before making an application for a licence, the place where the experiments will take place must have reviewed and approved the proposal.

The RSPCA described local review as a framework to ensure all animal use is carefully considered and justified, and proper account is taken of all possibilities for reduction, refinement and replacement.

Local ethical review is one of the responsibilities of the laboratory's certificate holder. A group drawn from across the organisation, including non-experts as well as experts, considers the tests their scientists wish to make. One key aspect is being sure that alternatives have been properly considered by the project team. They also look at animal care and welfare standards in their laboratory. The Home Office will not authorise a project unless it has been through local ethical review.

Research funders, such as charities and research councils, will also want to be sure research proposals involving animals are justified and meet their ethical guidelines. The MRC and the Wellcome Trust, for example, have published guidelines.

Having formal ethical review provides a place where issues can be raised. It also helps spread the word about improvements to welfare and new options for alternatives.