UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL ETHICAL REVIEW GROUP Notes on the meeting held on Tuesday 21 st September 2010, in XX Present: [Attendees removed] 1 Attendance 1.1 Not invited to attend None 1.2 Apologies Apologies were received from XX Items 2 Notes and comments of the meeting of 20/07/2010 (as circulated) These were accepted as a true and accurate record of the meeting and signed by the Chair. 3 Matters arising from the notes of the previous meeting 3.1 Item 5.1.1 (p2): New PPL application XX. XX has submitted a revised application, which is now being reviewed at 3.2 Item 5.2.1 (p3): PPL renewal XX. XX has submitted a revised application, which is now being reviewed at 3.3 Item 5.2.3 (p3): PPL renewal XX. XX has submitted a revised application, which is now being reviewed at 3.4 Item 6.2 (p3): PPL amendment XX. XX has submitted a revised amendment, which is now being reviewed at 3.5 Item 8.2 (p4): Final Review XX. A Final Review has now been received and is now reported in item 8.4. 3.6 Item 10.2.1 (p5): UIN application XX. ERG Chair, XX, gave green light under Chairman's delegated authority as the letter from XX University, XX showed ERG approval although not welfare standards. However, as it is a Veterinary School it is assumed that these are satisfactory. 4 Chairman s Report 4.1 RSPCA Lay members forum Tuesday 19 th October 2010, London. Further to the e-mail to ERG members about this, the Chair stated that if anyone wished to attend the ERG would reimburse expenses. XX / XX report on preliminary experiments with models of epilepsy. This has gone to the Home Office for consideration. An interim response has been received from the Home Office Inspector regarding the single death that was reported. She was consulting with colleagues before giving a formal response. It was noted by the ERG that a death is not unusual in epilepsy models. Membership. XX, academic member, is retiring from the ERG as of 1st October 2010 as she is moving to XX University. XX, would like to stand down as a lay member due to the pressures of XX to meet with XX regarding future Page 1 of 7
his Head of Department role. XX, is happy to continue as a lay member but is busy at present. XX, Chair, retires at the end of the 2010/11 academic year. running of the ERG. 5 Project Licences New Applications 5.1 Normal Track for ERG Review 5.1.1 None to report 5.2 Fast Track for ERG Ratification All the new project licences that have been fast-tracked are continuations of programmes of work considered by the ERG in the past and a decision made that they were scientifically and ethically worthwhile. The ASU has already considered arrangements for care of the animals and the HOLT team has considered the severity levels and believe these and other factors to be appropriate. 5.2.1 XX The adaptive response of the nervous system to injury (Renewal of 30/2315) The aim of this work is to identify neuronal metabolism changes during injury and those associated with nervous system diseases. It also aims to identify a rescue response and therapeutic agents. XX is a neuroprotein previously identified. Animals were used with modified ability to synthesise XX to investigate its potential. XX wishes to study XX and other proteins further. Existing rat and mouse models will be used. Very high numbers of animals are needed for the maintenance of genetic lines due to several factors including the size of the research group and the fact that the use of multiple crosses means only 1 in 64 animals may be usable. However, there was concern that the use of 18000 animals in the renewal application was not justified in the text. It was noted that large numbers of animals were also quoted in the original application. This application is already at the Home Office for consideration. XX to ask XX for his annual returns for 2009. The ERG approved this application but will leave it to the Chair to take up with XX the concern over high animal numbers. 5.2.2 XX Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte responses to self antigens express by normal and tumour cells: Tolerance versus Autoimmunity (Renewal of 30/2297) T killer cells are capable of recognising and destroying abnormal cells, i.e. those producing the wrong kind of proteins. Some of these abnormal cells are potentially cancerous. There is some interaction between the cancer cell and the T cell that switches off the killing mechanism. If this could be overcome, it would provide a potential therapy. For this work, XX would need to maintain mouse colonies with T-cell changes and use them to investigate the immune response to antigens associated with cancer cells or with the tumour cells themselves. Modest numbers of animals are predicted, possibly due to financial constraints but also because a very defined system is being used, i.e. eliciting a targeted response not a polyclonal response. The ERG approved this application. Page 2 of 7
5.2.3 XX Cardiac electrophysiology and arrhythmia (Renewal of 30/2334). XX is interested in the correct and the interrupted sequences of electrical events that take place in the heart during each cardiac cycle. This would be looked at in various disease models, for example, when there has been a scar tissue build up. The animal numbers appear project specific and related to specific questions to be answered. There was concern from the ERG that there may be no leeway for repetition if necessary, thus requiring an amendment to the licence in the future. The ERG approved the application. XX joined the meeting. 5.2.4 XX Gene and cell therapies for ischaemic disease (Renewal of 30/2329) XX will first try to render animal tissue ischaemic, using two models: heart ischaemia and whole leg ischaemia. Two rescue routes will then be employed: 1 gene therapy for revascularisation of tissues, using nerve growth factor 2 stem cell transplantation. The following established models will be used: limb ischaemia, heart infarction and induction of diabetes. Animals are needed for work with the experimental models themselves and also for tissue harvesting for in vivo screening programme, searching for agents that might help before introducing the new agents. The ERG approved the application. 6 Project Licences Amendments for ERG Ratification 6.1 30/2556 XX Unstable atherosclerosis There are three additions requested to this licence: 1 in vivo imaging. This would provide better data and reduce the overall number of animals needed. 2 measuring blood pressure in unconscious mice. Due to the fact that mice do not acclimatise to the measurement chamber as rats seem to. If anaesthetised, stress as well as overall numbers would be reduced. 3 permission for overnight fasting of animals before surgical procedures. Although mice are generally nocturnal, they will eat in the day if they are disturbed, e.g. by technicians performing their daily tasks. It was advised that these measures for decreasing the overall number of animals used be highlighted in the published report of this work. The ERG approved the amendment. 6.2 30/2685 XX Evaluation of pain experience in domestic fowl and selfselection of analgesics A pilot study showed keel fractures developed later in the project. This amendment would involve the use of gaseous anaesthetic once a week. The NVS confirmed that this frequency of administration would be acceptable. The ERG approved the amendment. 6.3 30/2729 XX The immature rat as a model of disease in the human Page 3 of 7
newborn This amendment involves pre-treating mother rats with Xenon gas to reduce problems during labour. Animals are currently bred in the XX and transported to XX for the project work. Some of these animals should be able to be re-used for breeding in XX up to a maximum of around 6 litters. As 10-12 pups per litter are normally required, it is not in the interest of the research group to overbreed because fertility decreases with age. The ERG approved the amendment. 7 Project Licences Mid Term Reviews 7.1 30/2434 XX Chemical communication in the red fox This project is investigating the chemical signals deployed by foxes in their scent. The licence allows capture of the animals and collection of scent from their anal glands for analysis. Compounds can then be identified and a profile compiled regarding territory marking. The NVS was called in to look at some foxes. However, this was not due to the work of this project but because animals had been found that had been involved in road traffic accidents. The work carried out under this licence gave no cause for welfare concern. 7.2 30/2466 XX Induction and suppression of human antibody responses in SCID mice - deferred The research group has been unable to proceed with the bulk of the work since February 2010 and had only been underway for 2-3 months at that point, so there is not much to report. The Chair had therefore agreed to the deferral of this Mid Term Review. The ERG approved the deferral of the review for 9 months. ASU Office to flag on the database to request the review for the July 2010 ERG meeting. 8 Final Reviews 8.1 30/2270 XX Pathophysiology of autoimmune uveitis The aim was to identify stimuli for recruitment of autoimmune cells to the eye. Mouse models were used to mimic the system and understand the background to this disease. Animal numbers were well below those originally estimated although no reason was given. It may be due to considerable refinement following the endoscopic amendment allowing the study of one group over time instead of using lots of different groups of animals and culling each time. Many publications are cited but it is not possible to say how many are specifically linked to this work. Some animals died unexpectedly, possibly due to Mouse Hepatitis Virus (MHV) as a predisposing factor. There were no recent problems with the model. 8.2 30/2273 XX CD8 T cells in Type 1 diabetes Page 4 of 7
A mouse model was used that caused spontaneous diabetes. The work was affected by problems with infections (reported in the Mid Term Review) such as pinworm. Although there are no terrible consequences for mouse welfare, these infections did stop diabetes occurring, so some experiments had to be terminated before they were finished. This also affected the ability to continue the work as there were no results from the first lot of experiments. Two incidents were reported to the NVS: 1 injecting large cells intravenously. Some became trapped in the lungs. As a result, it was decided not to use this method again. 2 Deaths in a transgenic strain known to have bleeding problems if homozygous. Since then only mice in a heterozygous state were used. The publications listed were specific to the work under this licence. 8.3 30/2279 XX Brain mechanisms regulating homeostasis postponed to November meeting XX is concentrating on writing a 3-month bridging licence as his first submission for renewal was not accepted by The Chair had, therefore, agreed to postpone the reporting of the Final Review. The ERG agreed to the postponement of the review. 8.4 30/2255 XX Early pathogenesis of prion disease - postponed from July meeting The full 5 years of the licence were not used as the holder moved to XX University. There were no concerns about the work. The number of animals was reduced by developing brain slice technology. Preliminary abstracts of results have been published, with a further 2-3 papers to come from the modest activity under this licence. 9 Report on UIN applications 9.1 Approved 9.1.1 UB/10/022 XX Anthropogenic impacts on fish behaviour (guppies) This and the minnow application (9.1.3) were considered together. XX has been successful with funding to investigate the following aspects of fish behaviour: water temperature due to global warming fish density due to habitat destruction noise water quality. Fish will be introduced to novel objects and environments. Much of the work will be done in the home tank. The impact of netting and transfer to different tanks has already been assessed, so the group will now separate fish by inserting a divider if possible. If not, a non-net type of scoop will be used. 9.1.2 UB/10/024 XX Role of chondrocyte apoptosis in initiation and progression of cartilage damage in osteoarthritis Two strains of guinea pig will be used. A Dunkin Hartley strain from Page 5 of 7
Harlan, which develops osteoarthritis spontaneously, and a Bristol strain, which is resistant. Animals will be killed via a Schedule 1 method for tissue samples at different stages. 9.1.3 UB/10/025 XX Anthropogenic impacts on fish behaviour (minnows) Refer to 9.1.1. 9.1.4 UB/10/026 XX Study to identify risk factors associated with welfare outcomes for sheep during and after journeys of short duration XX is interested in the welfare of animals during transport and slaughter, in this case, sheep being transported to abbatoirs. The work will involve tissue collection from the dead animals and observing current practice at several different abbatoirs. Observed stress will be compared with corticosteroid levels in the tissue samples. There is potential for changes to slaughterhouse design from the results of this work: for example, regarding the way that animals are loaded and unloaded from lairage and at slaughterhouses. 9.1.5 UB/10/027 XX Insecticide resistance in lice at the Donkey Sanctuary: strategies to mitigate its effects Insecticide resistance of lice is quite a problem as the range of chemicals to deal with the infestations is small. A fine comb will be used during normal grooming to collect lice and general infestation rate assessed. There will be an opportunity to feedback information to the individual sanctuaries, although this will not interfere with the programme of treatment as veterinary advice would override that of the researcher. 9.2 9.2.1 Submitted UB/10/023 XX Level 1 teaching laboratory class Colour change in Xenopus tadpoles Students would be transferring tadpoles from dark to light containers and observing the consequent change in skin colour. They will also be applying chemicals to the tail of dead tadpoles and observing the effect on skin coloration. Tadpoles would be supplied by a breeding colony already in existence within Biological Sciences. This is an established practical session and the researcher is applying for a 3-year UIN renewal. 9.2.2 UB/10/028 XX Does hot branding cause pain in Exmoor foals? This application has now been withdrawn. The objective of the original application was to observe branding as a management procedure and perform minor interventions around the brand site to assess pain. There would also have been a sham branded Page 6 of 7
group, where a non-heated branding iron would be applied. The HOLT had raised concerns around possible provocation of pain and distress in rounding up the sham group twice. A revised application was submitted following these concerns but then the Exmoor Breeding Society decided to delay the work for one year. As a result, XX will request an amendment under her project licence to do the work in due course. The ERG was satisfied with the explanation and withdrawal of the UIN application. 9.2.3 UB/10/029 XX The epidemiology of footrot control in sheep Footrot is a very common condition, especially in damp lowland climates, with two or three sheep being affected in most flocks. There is no clearly successful current form of treatment. A first draft was submitted to the Home Office for advice and elicited a response that the work would require licensing under A(SP)A 1986 due to the rounding up and turning of sheep on a regular basis to assess foot health. A second draft was then submitted (and this version only relayed to the ERG), where the aim is now to do this assessment as part of the flock health strategy programme: for example, when the sheep are already going to be rounded up for foot trimming. Any animals showing a pain score of 3 or more out of 5 will be treated. The aim is to prevent the disease progressing to the clinical phase. The ERG ratified this revised UIN application. 10 For Information Nothing to report. 11 Any Other Business None to report. 12 Date of the next meeting The next meeting will be held at 2.00pm on Tuesday 23 rd November 2010 in Bristol in XX. Page 7 of 7