Lecture 8 Ethics

Question 1

Animal research in the UK is regulated by

Answer 1

the home office

Question 2

the 3 principles of regulations are

Answer 2

reduce, refine, replace

Question 3

all researchers performing animal research need a

Answer 3

home office personal licence

Question 4

researchers can only perform research under control of

Answer 4

project licences

Question 5

how long do project licences last?

Answer 5

5 years

Question 6

work under a project licence can only be performed where what is in place?

Answer 6

an establishment licence

Question 7

Which act is implemented by the home office?

Answer 7

Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA)

Question 8

what are the 4 local governance bodies at all unis?

Answer 8

AWERB- animal welfare and ethical review body

PAAC1 and 2- Procedures on Animals Assessment Committee

3Rs committee

BSMB- Biological Service Management Board

Question 9

what does PAAC1 and 2 do?

Answer 9

reviews project licences before they are sent to home office

Question 10

what does the 3Rs committee do?

Answer 10

oversees midterm reviews of grants and promotes good practice

Question 11

what does BSMB do?

Answer 11

ensures compliance with laws, facilities for animals etc

Question 12

what does national centre for 3Rs do?

Answer 12

gives out grants to improve research- funding research that using alternatives to animals

Question 13

3Rs replacement define:

Answer 13

methods which avoid/replace use of animals

Question 14

3Rs reduce define:

Answer 14

methods which reduce the number of animals used per experiment

Question 15

3Rs Refine define:

Answer 15

methods which minimise suffering and maximise welfare

Question 16

overview ethics and technology

Answer 16

the mind is the last refuge of personal freedom and self-determination, however with advances in neural engineering, imaging and pervasive tech the mind may no longer be inaccessible- important to get ethics right

Question 17

what is disruptive technology

Answer 17

technology which changes the field, becoming commonplace and outcompeting other tech

Question 18

discuss CRIPR-CAS9 and ethics

Answer 18

easy gene editing
- could be revolutionary, however, there are concerns about unintended consequences
in 2015 scientists put self-imposed ban on using in germlines
broken by Chinese researchers who used to prevent offspring getting HIV- were jailed

Question 19

discuss optogenetics and ethics

Answer 19

allows researcher to activate and inhibit cells of their choosing in brain, involved in much research into disease
in order to get opsin into cells, adenovirus is used and we don’t know about long term consequences/off-target effects
ideas on using on humans but difficult to compare to mouse research as it’s much longer term and different brain

Question 20

what 3 ethical issues are the BRAIN initiative mission and human brain project guided by?

Answer 20

1) how to deal with what we learn about cognitive enhancement- ensuring all people have equal access to tools to prevent increasing inequality
2) how to deal with the need to research on people who cannot properly consent e.g. AD or TBI patients
3) how to incorporate what we learn about neuroscience into legal system- preventing overreliance on neuroscience in courts

Question 21

what is the newest disruptive technology and what’s it’s risks/benefits

Answer 21

AI
could overtake roles of humans who can’t compete
could also benefit humans hugely

Question 22

what are the levels of ethics from national to individual

Answer 22

national- government- UK R&I
Body- medical research council
Unis- Russell group
Institution- e.g. UoS
Individual- PI (and all the researchers working under)

Question 23

what are the 7 elements of the ethical code set out by chief government scientific advisor?

Answer 23

• act with skill and care (keep training up to date etc)
• prevent corrupt practice- (declare any conflict of interest)
• respect and acknowledge the work of other scientists (i.e. don’t plagiarise)
• research justified and lawful
• minimise impact on people, animals, environment
• discuss issues (with the wider community/public)
• do not mislead (fabricate/falsify)

Question 24

what are the 4 key types of malpractice

Answer 24

fabrication
falsification
plagiarism
breaking confidentiality