Question 1: My Animal Ethics Committee (AEC) has approved a procedure which another institution's AEC has not - who is right?

Answer: There is no 'right' answer. Provided the AEC is properly constituted and has fully considered the protocol, it is perfectly reasonable for AEC's to come up with different decisions due to the inherent differences in individuals' ethical judgements. For instance, one AEC may require further clarification on a point which another AEC can resolve using its members.

Question 2: What can the AEC do if a researcher refuses to comply with itsdirections?

Answer: If the AEC believes it is necessary, it can recommend that the animal research authority for a researcher is withdrawn. This action should be taken by the head of the institution. Without an authority, the researcher is liable to prosecution if he or she continues to conduct research.

Question 3: I don't feel that I am getting information in a form I can understand to make a decision about an application. What can I do?

Answer: Your are entitled to as much information as you require in terms which you can understand. The legislation (Code of Practice) states that the process by which decisions are made by an AEC must be fair to investigators andacceptable to ALL AEC members. It can be helpful to ask the researcher involved to attendthe meeting and explain the application in person. Flow charts can also be helpful.

Question 4: A member of the animal care staff has come to me with a serious allegation about misconduct by a researcher. However, they don't want me to mention their  name or make a written complaint.

Answer: The AEC is required by legislation to have procedures in place to deal with complaints from within or outside the institution. The nature of the complaint should be raised with the AEC which can investigate and take action if required. Complaints can also be made directly to the Animal Research Review Panel. The Panel will usually ask for advice from the AEC as the first step in any investigation.

Question 5: How do I get information about alternatives to animal use or refinements to experimental techniques?

Answer: Animal Ethics Infolink, a website of the Animal Research Review Panel and the Animal Welfare Branch, contains a wealth of information including information on replacement of animals and refinement in techniques.

ANZCCART News  is a useful electronic publication containing original articles and reviews of articles in other journals. If the information is too technical for you to use directly in a discussion, you can ask the researcher to look at it and explain whether or not it could be applied in the research proposal.

ANZCCART also runs an electronic discussion list for people interested in the use of animals in research. For subscription information, see: www.adelaide.edu.au/ANZCCART/contact