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About AREC

The TUT Animal Research Ethics Committee (AREC) is a Senate sub-committee established in terms of Section 73 of the National Health Act (2003).

The Committee is composed of a diverse membership that includes researchers, veterinarians, representatives of animal welfare organisations, lay community members as well as statisticians and legal representatives. If needed, external experts can be consulted as well. Diversity ensures that The TUT AREC can evaluate the scientific and ethical dimensions as well as animal welfare implications of research proposals. The TUT AREC ensures that all protocols adhere to the principles of Replacement, Reduction, Refinement and Responsibility (the 4Rs), and that the harms-benefit analysis justifies the use of animals.

The TUT AREC is accountable to the Senate of TUT, reports annually to the National Health Research Ethics Council (NHREC), and aligns its work with national and international animal research ethics frameworks such as the South African National Standard: The care and use of animals for scientific purposes (SANS10386:2021). An independent external review with regards to AREC’s functions and compliance with SANS10386:2021 is conducted every 4 years.

TUT AREC’s responsibilities include:

  • Ethical reviewing of all proposals concerning research, teaching, and testing activities involving live vertebrate and higher invertebrate animals or animal-derived tissues or substances and / or data. (Please have a look at the definition of “animal” to better understand the TUT AREC’s mandate)
  • Monitoring of approved research projects through passive and active mechanisms
  • Inspection and monitoring of any TUT facilities which house animals or are used by TUT researchers and lecturers for teaching and research purposes involving animals.
  • Investigating animal welfare complaints and animal research ethics misconduct and administrative concerns related to Animal Research Ethics and animal welfare under the auspices of TUT.
  • Providing opportunities for animal research ethics education and training to AREC members and to the wider TUT research community.

Through this mandate, the TUT AREC protects animals while fostering responsible research that contributes to scientific, societal, economic and educational advancement.