Ethical review process

No research involving animals can be undertaken at Manchester until it has been refined and approved via a strict review process.

All our research involving animals is considered in a local Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Body (AWERB) or its sub-committee, which can require changes to a programme of work or a refusal to allow the work to be carried out as planned.

AWERB includes: six experienced senior scientists who are experts in different fields, three lay people (one of whom has no links to the University), a named veterinary surgeon (NVS), a named animal care and welfare officer (NACWO), the Named Training and Competency Officer (NTCO), and any other person the Chair might ask to provide advice.

The review process takes place as follows:

1. We ask the scientist applying to perform research involving animals to complete a questionnaire and forward it, along with a draft of the project licence application, in advance of face-to-face discussions with the NVS, NACWO, a Named Training and Competency officer (NTCO) and an animal technologist. The project will not be considered unless it has been approved by the nominated expert in experimental design and statistics.
2. At the meeting, each procedure will be discussed to ensure further refinement, reduction or replacement is explored. The principal investigator may be asked to explain and modify certain aspects of their application. The NVS and the NACWO provide comments, which are then sent to all members of the AWERB.
3. Each project is subject to group discussion. At Manchester, we consider this to be superior to electronic review.

 Our lay members regularly attend the RSPCA Lay Members’ Forum. You can read more about the role of lay members on the RSPCA website.

AWERB meeting minutes

3Rs AWERB subgroup meeting minutes

Ethical review requirements for approval

Animal research falls into different categories, depending on exactly what is involved. 

The approval process for each category is as follows:

• Category A research requires full ethical approval by the University's AWERB.
• Category B research (collaboration with other laboratories outside of the EU, or where animal facilities are being provided by third parties outside of the EU) requires ethical approval by the AWERB. The ethics committee will need to be satisfied that the welfare standards are consistent with UK and local legislation and that the principles set out in this policy are applied and maintained.
• Category C research requires appropriate and proportionate ethical review by the University.
• Category D research may require appropriate and proportionate ethical review.

New Committee for the Ethical Review of Category D Research

Even though the 1986 act does not require it, The University of Manchester has set up a subcommittee of AWERB to ethically review its category D research. Find more information here.