Conscientious Objection Policy on the Use of Live Animals in Teaching and/or Practical Sessions

The University is concerned about animal welfare and humanity and is committed to ensuring that teaching practicals involving the use of live animals are well-justified and students are prepared appropriately for the experience. Below please find information on the use of live animals in teaching and/or practical sessions:

1.	The teacher/course co-ordinator concerned should stipulate clearly in the course description if live animals are to be used in the course.
2.	The conduct of animal experimentations at HKU requires prior approval of the Committee on the Use of Live Animals in Teaching and Research (CULATR).
3.	In accordance with the Animals (Control of Experiments) Ordinance Cap 340 of the HKSAR Government which provides for the control of experiments on living vertebrate animals, a ‘Bloc License’ for conduct of animal experimentations will be obtained from the Department of Health by the teacher/course co-ordinator concerned on behalf of students attending teaching practicals.
4.	Students who object to animal experimentation should discuss with the teacher/course co-ordinator concerned before enrolling for the course to opt for training and assessment by using audiovisual and computer models as alternative methods/materials for the study. In situations when such alternatives are not available, students should be allowed to opt out of teaching practicals/experiments within the course without detriment to his/her grade.
5.	Any concerns regarding the use of live animals should be addressed to the teacher/course co-ordinator concerned in the first instance, and then to the CULATR as necessary.

Further information on this policy is available at http://www.med.hku.hk/v1/research/research-ethics/animal-ethics-culatr/.