ASCEPT is a Supporter of the Openness Agreement on Animal Research and Teaching in Australia
ASCEPT and the use of animals in research
The membership of the Australasian Society of Clinical and Experimental Pharmacologists and Toxicologists (ASCEPT) comprises scientists, health professionals, and educators who specialise in the development, action and use of drugs (pharmacology) and the negative impacts or adverse effects that these drugs and other harmful substances can have (toxicology). Together, pharmacologists and toxicologists have played, and continue to play, a central role in drug development and the safe administration of drugs to prevent and treat disease and other health conditions.
To discover and research new drugs, pharmacologists and toxicologists employ a wide range of non-animal scientific techniques. These methods, now known as New Approach Methodologies (NAMs), involve computer modelling (in silico) and experiments under strict ethical regulation using human cells or donated tissues (in vitro/ex vivo), or human volunteers. These methods are used exhaustively to obtain as much information as possible about a new drug. A review of NAMs, including those used in pharmacology and toxicology, can be found here.
The increasing complexity of NAMs means that the use of animals in fundamental pharmacological and toxicological research has already decreased, aligning with existing global objectives to reduce animal use in medical research. However, NAMs are not yet representative of complex biological systems and therefore certain areas of research can only be explored with methods that require the use of animals.
ASCEPT acknowledges that the use of animals for scientific purposes can raise significant ethical considerations and respects the views of those who do not agree with this approach.
Regulation of animal research in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand
In Australia, the use of animals for scientific purposes is governed by strict laws. The governing framework is the Australian Code for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes, which can be found here. This Code sets out ethical and welfare standards for all animal-based research and teaching.
The use of animals for research, testing, and teaching is similarly governed by strict laws in New Zealand. Animal research in New Zealand is regulated under the Animal Welfare Act 1999, which can be found here.
Under both Australian and New Zealand law, animal research can only be used when there is no suitable alternative (e.g., NAMs) and only if the work has been approved in advance by an Animal Ethics Committee. Animal Ethics Committees ensure that animal use is justified and conducted humanely in line with the relevant laws. Furthermore, institutions that conduct research or other scientific procedures involving animals are subject to regulatory oversight, including possible audits, and must provide mandatory annual reports through their animal ethics and compliance governance processes.
Further information:
The animal research Openness Agreement
Since ASCEPT is a learned society and not a research institution, it does not directly perform scientific procedures involving animals. However, some of its members perform animal research within their institutions, and this work is presented to ASCEPT members at ASCEPT sanctioned events. While ASCEPT cannot speak or act on behalf of those institutions, ASCEPT is a Supporter of the Openness Agreement on Animal Research and Teaching in Australia.
The Openness Agreement is a voluntary pledge that may be signed by organisations wishing to demonstrate their commitment to greater transparency in the use of animals for scientific purposes.
ASCEPT joins approximately 60 other organisations that have signed the Agreement including universities, research institutes, and other peak bodies in the scientific community.
Contacts
Enquiries regarding the use of animals in pharmacology and toxicology may be directed to ASCEPT at ascept@ascept.org.
Enquiries regarding other aspects of animal research or the Openness Agreement may be directed to anzccart@adelaide.edu.au.
