Ethics Flashcards
What is all animal research regulated by?
The Home Office and 3 principals are enshrined in the regulations
Replace
Refine
Reduce
What licenses are needed to do animal research?
All researchers performing animal research need a Home Office personal license
They can only perform research under the control of a projects license
Any work under a project license can only be performed where an establishment license is in place
What UK and EU laws need to be complied with?
Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986
- the use of animals in experiments and testing is regulated under this act. ASPA has been revised to change the European Directive 2010/63/EU on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes
ASPA is implemented by the Home Office
What are the local committees at university level?
AWERB = Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Body
PAAC1 and 2 = Procedures on Animals Assessment Committee - internal reviews of project license applications before they go to the Home Office
3Rs committee = overseas mid term reviews of grants and promotes good practice
BSMB = Biological Services Management Board - ensures compliance with law, charges for animals, looking at the current and future estate checking it is fit for purpose
What is the national centre for the 3 Rs?
Replacement = methods which avoid or replace the use of animals
Reduction = methods which minimise the number of animals used per experiment
Refinement = methods which minimise animal suffering and improve welfare
What is a quote by John Milton and what does it convey?
Thou canst not touch the freedom of my mind
Conveys the idea that the mind is a kind of last refuge of personal freedom and self-determination
Yet with advances in neural engineering, brain imaging and pervasive neurotechnology, the mind might no longer be such an unassailable fortress
While these advances can be greatly beneficial for individuals and society, they can also be misused and create unprecedented threats to the freedom of the mind and to the individuals’ capacity to freely govern their behaviour
What is CRISPR-CAS9 technology?
It allows very selective alterations of specific parts of DNA in the genome - far quicker and more accurate than previous methods
Could revolutionise the way we treat genetic diseases
What is an ethics problem with CRISPR-CAS9 technology?
Potential concerns about unintended consequences
2015 - major conference scientists self-imposed a ban on germline research
How has this problem come to light with CRISPR-CAS9 technology?
Chinese scientist who edited babies’ genes to produce babies’ immune to HIV did so without any ethical approval and is now imprisoned
Once humans have been produced without genetic mutations, they have the potential to reproduce and so on and then the genetic mutation cannot be controlled
What is a potential ethical problem with optogenetics?
Generally uses adenoviruses and the long term consequences of this is not fully understood
What do the USA brain initiative say about dealing with what we learn about cognitive enhancement?
While the commission concludes there’s nothing inherently unethical about this research, they want to make sure that scientists prioritise a focus on ways to treat neurological disorders as they continue to work
The commission also wants researchers in this area to make sure people have equal access to tools that could enhance brain function so as not to worsen social and economic inequality
What do the USA brain initiative say about dealing with patients who cannot properly consent e.g., patients with traumatic brain injury or dementia?
These types of patients have the most to gain from what we’re learning about the brain right now
In order to learn more about these conditions, these patients need to be included in studies - even though the nature of their conditions may mean they are unable to give their own consent
The commission wants clear guidelines outlining exactly how researchers can responsibly include these patients in studies, including a way to make sure that patients have legally authorised representatives who can speak for them
How can we incorporate what we learn about neuroscience into the legal system?
The more we know about the brain, the more we can use that knowledge to understand behaviour - including criminal behaviour
But that could also lead to relying too much on neuroscience in courts, especially if what we know is overhyped or taken to be unequivocally true
That’s likely to happen unless the general public is better educated on the workings of the brain
Who has the responsibility to ensure ethics are adhered to?
Many different levels:
International = EU
National = Government, UK research and innovation
Specific body = Medical research Council
Leading Universities = The Russell Group
Institution = University of Sheffield
Individual = Principal investigator, research assistant, post doc, student
What are the medical research council guidelines?
Research excellence and integrity
Respect ethics and professional standards
Honesty and transparency
Openness and accountability
