The Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre Animal Experimentation Ethics Committee (AEEC) governs the ethical conduct of researchers whose work involves the use of animals for scientific purposes.
The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 requires that institutions conducting research and teaching using animals comply with the Australian Code for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes (the Code), and designate an Animal Ethics Committee (AEC) to oversee the conduct of the institution’s care and use of animals.
The Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre Animal Experimentation Ethics Committee (AEEC) governs the ethical conduct of researchers whose work involves the use of animals for scientific purposes, and ensures that the use of those animals is justified, provides for the welfare of those animals and incorporates the principles of the 3Rs (Replacement/Reduction/Refinement).
In accordance with the Code, the Peter Mac AEEC comprises at least four persons, one from each of the following categories:
Category A: a veterinary surgeon with experience relevant to the activities of the institution.
Category B: a scientist or teacher with substantial recent experience in animal-based research or teaching.
Category C: a person with demonstrable commitment to, and established experience in, furthering the welfare of animals and who is independent of the institution.
Category D: a layperson who has never engaged in animal experimentation beyond their under-graduate education and who is independent of the institution.
Further information about the use of animals in research and teaching, including the role of Animal Ethics Committees, is available at the Agriculture Victoria website.
