Unitec receives award for humane use of animals

Unitec receives award for humane use of animals in research, testing and teaching

The teaching team in the Department of Natural Sciences at Auckland’s Unitec has been selected as the recipient of the 2010 National Animal Ethics Advisory Committee (NAEAC) Three Rs award.

The team receive the award in recognition of their consistent and deliberate adherence to Three Rs principles and the embodiment of them into their teaching programmes and practices.

NAEAC selected the Department’s work from several high calibre nominations and considered their efforts to consistently make a point of promoting commitment to humane education to have far-reaching effects within the community.

The concept of the Three Rs, from which the award takes its name, is to replace live animal subjects, reduce the number of animals used and refine experimental techniques to minimise pain and distress.

“The Department of Natural Sciences teaching team at Unitec have developed a shared vision across all programmes that reflects these ethical concerns” said NAEAC chairperson, Dr Virginia Williams.

“Guidelines have been developed and aligned with the underpinning philosophy that the use of animals in teaching is only acceptable if it contributes to an understanding without necessitating harm or suffering.”

“The Three Rs are the cornerstone of the ethical use of animals in research, testing and teaching and this award celebrates achievements in the implementation of the Three Rs and promotes the concept within the scientific community and to the wider public.”

A major achievement for the Department has been the development of a dedicated simulation suite – with specially designed models and mannequins – that allows students to practice their skills without the requirement for access to real animals until later stages in their training. This has allowed the team to substantially improve student training and ethical awareness, as well as reduce and replace animal use in teaching.

Although difficult to measure the reduction in animal use in teaching, staff have estimated that across all programmes, animal use has been reduced by at least 25% overall.

This national award is co-ordinated by NAEAC and is made annually to an individual, group or institution within New Zealand that epitomises best practice with regard to the Three Rs.

The award was presented at a NAEAC meeting in Wellington on Friday.

ends

© Scoop Media