Conscientious Objection Policy on the Use of Live Animals in Teaching and/or Practical Sessions
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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:
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The teacher/course co-ordinator concerned should stipulate clearly in the course description if live animals are to be used in the course.
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The conduct of animal experimentations at HKU requires prior approval of the Committee on the Use of Live Animals in Teaching and Research (CULATR).
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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.
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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.
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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/.
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