Animal Testing
This article was originally published in SRA
Executive Summary
Draft ethical standards published for research involving animals
Draft ethical standards published for research involving animals
The Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Animal Welfare Committee has revised its draft code of practice on the care and use of animals for scientific purposes and has issued this seventh edition for consultation1. The code encompasses all aspects of the care and use of, or interaction with animals for scientific purposes in medicine, biology, veterinary and other animal sciences, industry and teaching. First published in 1969, the text has undergone periodic revisions to take into account changes in the biological sciences and in community attitudes. Comments on the revision should be submitted by 4 June 2003.
The committee has also published a draft policy on the use of non-human primates for scientific purposes2. It contains background notes for investigators, animal ethics committees and animal care staff on the care and use of non-human primates for scientific purposes and is to be read in conjunction with the above publication. Consultation on this draft ended on 23 April 2003.
CARMEN LANGLEY
References
1. Draft Australian Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes, March 2003, www.health.gov.au/nhmrc
2. Draft Policy on the Use of Non-Human Primates for Scientific Purposes, March 2003, www.health.gov.au/nhmrc