City St George’s, University of London (CSG) is committed to developing and adopting alternatives to the use of animals. Most biomedical research at the university is conducted without the need for animals, using a range of alternative methods, including computer modelling, tissue culture, cell and molecular biology techniques and also human trials.
In some circumstances, however, avoiding the use of animals is not yet achievable. This is the case, for example, in finding treatments and cures for life-threatening and seriously debilitating diseases, such as cancer, tuberculosis, Alzheimer’s and HIV/AIDS.
All research using animals must be carried out in accordance with our Policy on the Use of Animals in Research.
How animal research requests are assessed
Before a scientist is allowed to use animals as part of their research program, there are many legal requirements of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act (ASPA) 1986 that must be satisfied. Part of this is providing detailed information and explanation of why animal use is necessary and why there are no alternative method(s) available that might provide useful results.
The Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Body (AWERB)
Our Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Body (AWERB) is run in accordance with the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act (ASPA) 1986 . It is a local framework designed to provide legal and ethical advice to scientists who wish to undertake research requiring animals.
The overall purpose of the AWERB is to:
- Foster a strong culture of care within the Establishment.
- Promote awareness of animal welfare and encourage the development and uptake of the 3 Rs and advise staff and researchers how to apply them.
- Address any ethical or welfare concerns within the Establishment.
- Carefully consider animal research requests by scientists, taking into account animal welfare requirements and potential harms to the animals, which need to be balanced against the anticipated benefits that this research hopes to provide.
- Ensure that the quality of the BRF and its resources are at a high standard.
- Support staff training, ensuring that all training and competency assessments are up to date and appropriately recorded.
Only after the AWERB has thoroughly examined and discussed proposals for research requiring animals, and is fully satisfied that such proposals conform to the university’s policies and the BRF capabilities, may a submission be made to the Home Office for authority under a Project Licence to proceed.
If CSG's AWERB does not approve a programme of research requiring animals, that research will not be conducted at the university.
Minutes of AWERB meetings
As part of our commitment to openness and transparency in animal research, the minutes of our AWERB meetings from 2024 onwards are published below. Redactions have been applied only to protect any identifiable personal or sensitive information.
2024
AWERB Minutes April 2024 [PDF]
AWERB Minutes August 2024 [PDF]