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		<title>Continuing responsibilities</title>
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							<p>Getting approval is, of course, not the end of your responsibilities when you are conducting research with animals. As with any research, best practices must be followed across the duration of the project. You also need to follow your protocol and get approvals for any deviations, since your approval was based on what you said you would do. Annual reporting (as well as reporting in specific circumstances, e.g. adverse events reporting) may also be required. In conducting your work, it is important to remember that you have responsibilities to the animals you are using and the public.</p>
							
							<h3>Continuing responsibilities checklist</h3>
							
							<p>To ensure you meet your responsibilities to both your animal subjects and the public, you should ensure you keep your continuing responsibilities in mind.</p>
							
							<instructional-text activity-element="pyramid"><p>Click on each tab to work through the continuing responsibilities you will have as a researcher working with animal subjects.</p></instructional-text>
							<instructional-text-mobile activity-element="pyramid"><p>Continue on to work through the continuing responsibilities you will have as a researcher working with animal subjects.</p></instructional-text-mobile>
							<accessible-text><p>Continue on to work through the continuing responsibilities you will have as a researcher working with animal subjects.</p></accessible-text>

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								<tab-item>
									<tab-heading><p>Follow rules and best practice</p></tab-heading>
									<tab-content>
										<p>You must know the specific rules and best practices that apply to the animals you use. The Guidance on the Operation of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (UK Home Office, 2020) covers:</p>
										<ul>
											<li>Scope and provisions of the Act</li>
											<li>Responsibilities of those with roles under the Act (licence holders, etc.)</li>
											<li>Licencing under the Act</li>
											<li>Severity classification</li>
											<li>Housing and care of animals</li>
											<li>Humane killing.</li>
										</ul>
										<p>It also provides a detailed list of additional references for special topics and individual species.</p>
										<p>A short, up-to-date list of additional resources can be found at the end of this module.</p>
									</tab-content>
								</tab-item>
								<tab-item>
									<tab-heading><p>Set up hands-on training</p></tab-heading>
									<tab-content>
										<p>In order to work with animals, you (and, if you manage others, your staff) will need to be trained and signed off by the NTCO for every protocol that you are carrying out. Some animal research requires skills that cannot be taught online, including how to handle animals safely and humanely, as well as how to perform procedures. It is important that you check what additional training is required in your context (e.g. by conferring with your NTCO).</p>
									</tab-content>
								</tab-item>
								<tab-item>
									<tab-heading><p>Provide animal care</p></tab-heading>
									<tab-content>
										<p>You must provide the care your animals require. Caring for animals is a 24/7 responsibility. Waiting until the next day to clean up and put away equipment might not pose any problems, but failing to clean an animal's cage or provide it with water will. Often the care of animals specified in your protocols will be carried out by animal care staff or technicians. Nonetheless, it is your responsibility to work with them to ensure that appropriate care is delivered for the animals, and this may differ for some protocols (e.g. after surgical procedures). Your plan for providing care should include:</p>
										<ul>
											<li>A complete list of responsibilities</li>
											<li>Staff assignments and backup plans</li>
											<li>Contact information for special veterinary services and clear guidance on when to contact them</li>
											<li>A safety plan (if you use any hazardous materials or procedures)</li>
											<li>Security provisions (including safeguards against fire, flooding and break-ins)</li>
											<li>Random monitoring to make sure your plan is working.</li>
										</ul>
										<p>Keep in mind that animal research facilities must be inspected by your animal care programme or your review committee, and may be subject to inspection at any time.</p>
									</tab-content>
								</tab-item>
								<tab-item>
									<tab-heading><p>Follow the procedures in the research protocol</p></tab-heading>
									<tab-content>
										<p>You should carefully follow all the procedures outlined in your research protocol. Once it has been approved, a project must be conducted in the manner that was approved by the review committee.</p>
										<p>Unless you have been given permission to make modifications, you must follow the procedures outlined in your research protocol and your review committee application. If your research is subject to government regulation, failure to follow approved procedures could be a breach of ASPA. At some universities, a deliberate breach of ASPA may be classed as 'research misconduct'.</p>
									</tab-content>
								</tab-item>
								<tab-item>
									<tab-heading><p>Meet all requirements for reports, audits and inspections</p></tab-heading>
									<tab-content>
										<p>Research institutions have a responsibility to ensure that all animals under their institutional care are treated humanely. To ensure that this is the case, they could require annual reports, audit your research findings or inspect any research facilities that are your responsibility. Even if you work at an institution that has institutional animal care facilities, you have a responsibility to ensure that the animals used in your research are humanely cared for.</p>
									</tab-content>
								</tab-item>
								<tab-item>
									<tab-heading><p>Show sensitivity</p></tab-heading>
									<tab-content>
										<p>You must be sensitive to the feelings of those working on and in the vicinity of your project. Some individuals may not want to engage in animal research, even if they understand that it is important and beneficial. This can create difficult situations for:</p>
										<ul>
											<li>Members of your research team (if they have not worked with animals before, or have just started working with a new species)</li>
											<li>Support staff (who may have no part in the research, but nonetheless work in your research area).</li>
										</ul>
										<p>As you develop a project, take the time to speak with everyone who could be affected to make sure they understand and are comfortable with the planned work.</p>
									</tab-content>
								</tab-item>
								<tab-item>
									<tab-heading><p>Address public concerns</p></tab-heading>
									<tab-content>
										<p>You should be aware of public concerns and take steps to address them. No matter how innocent your work may seem, it could raise the public's concern. For example, some people/groups feel that animals:</p>
										<ul>
											<li>Should not be held in captivity for any reason, including in zoos and research facilities</li>
											<li>Should not be bred for research purposes</li>
											<li>Should not be disturbed in the wild for the purposes of study</li>
											<li>Should not suffer solely for the benefit of humans.</li>
										</ul>
										<p>Whether you agree or disagree with these positions, you should be aware of them and understand how they could impact your research. In addition, you should be prepared to advocate on behalf of your research if necessary. In order to help with this, you should be aware of organisations that help provide a conduit between public perception and animal research (see the "Useful links" pod).</p>
									</tab-content>
								</tab-item>
							</tab-set>
							<!-- ACTIVITY END -->
							<!-- MOBILE ACTIVITY START -->
							<div class="accessible-block show-in-mobile">
								<div class="section">
									<h4>
										Follow rules and best practice
									</h4>
									<p>
										You must know the specific rules and best practices that apply to the animals you use. The Guidance on the Operation of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (UK Home Office, 2020) covers:
									</p>
									<ul>
										<li>Scope and provisions of the Act</li>
										<li>Responsibilities of those with roles under the Act (licence holders, etc.)</li>
										<li>Licencing under the Act</li>
										<li>Severity classification</li>
										<li>Housing and care of animals</li>
										<li>Humane killing.</li>
									</ul>
									<p>
										It also provides a detailed list of additional references for special topics and individual species.
									</p>
									<p>
										A short, up-to-date list of additional resources can be found at the end of this module.
									</p>
								</div>
								<div class="section">
									<h4>
										Set up hands-on training
									</h4>
									<p>
										In order to work with animals, you (and, if you manage others, your staff) will need to be trained and signed off by the NTCO for every protocol that you are carrying out. Some animal research requires skills that cannot be taught online, including how to handle animals safely and humanely, as well as how to perform procedures. It is important that you check what additional training is required in your context (e.g. by conferring with your NTCO).
									</p>
								</div>
								<div class="section">
									<h4>
										Provide animal care
									</h4>
									<p>
										You must provide the care your animals require. Caring for animals is a 24/7 responsibility. Waiting until the next day to clean up and put away equipment might not pose any problems, but failing to clean an animal's cage or provide it with water will. Often the care of animals specified in your protocols will be carried out by animal care staff or technicians. Nonetheless, it is your responsibility to work with them to ensure that appropriate care is delivered for the animals, and this may differ for some protocols (e.g. after surgical procedures). Your plan for providing care should include:
									</p>
									<ul>
										<li>
											A complete list of responsibilities
										</li>
										<li>
											Staff assignments and backup plans
										</li>
										<li>
											Contact information for special veterinary services and clear guidance on when to contact them
										</li>
										<li>
											A safety plan (if you use any hazardous materials or procedures)
										</li>
										<li>
											Security provisions (including safeguards against fire, flooding and break-ins)
										</li>
										<li>
											Random monitoring to make sure your plan is working.
										</li>
									</ul>
									<p>
										Keep in mind that animal research facilities must be inspected by your animal care programme or your review committee, and may be subject to inspection at any time.
									</p>
								</div>
								<div class="section">
									<h4>
										Follow the procedures in the research protocol
									</h4>
									<p>
										You should carefully follow all the procedures outlined in your research protocol. Once it has been approved, a project must be conducted in the manner that was approved by the review committee.
									</p>
									<p>
										Unless you have been given permission to make modifications, you must follow the procedures outlined in your research protocol and your review committee application. If your research is subject to government regulation, failure to follow approved procedures could be a breach of ASPA. At some universities, a deliberate breach of ASPA may be classed as 'research misconduct'.
									</p>
								</div>
								<div class="section">
									<h4>
										Meet all requirements for reports, audits and inspections
									</h4>
									<p>
										Research institutions have a responsibility to ensure that all animals under their institutional care are treated humanely. To ensure that this is the case, they could require annual reports, audit your research findings or inspect any research facilities that are your responsibility. Even if you work at an institution that has institutional animal care facilities, you have a responsibility to ensure that the animals used in your research are humanely cared for.
									</p>
								</div>
								<div class="section">
									<h4>
										Show sensitivity
									</h4>
									<p>
										You must be sensitive to the feelings of those working on and in the vicinity of your project. Some individuals may not want to engage in animal research, even if they understand that it is important and beneficial. This can create difficult situations for:
									</p>
									<ul>
										<li>Members of your research team (if they have not worked with animals before, or have just started working with a new species)</li>

										<li>Support staff (who may have no part in the research, but nonetheless work in your research area).</li>
									</ul>
									<p>
										As you develop a project, take the time to speak with everyone who could be affected to make sure they understand and are comfortable with the planned work.
									</p>
								</div>
								<div class="section">
									<h4>
										Address public concerns
									</h4>
									<p>
										You should be aware of public concerns and take steps to address them. No matter how innocent your work may seem, it could raise the public's concern. For example, some people/groups feel that animals:
									</p>
									<ul>
										<li>Should not be held in captivity for any reason, including in zoos and research facilities</li>
										<li>Should not be bred for research purposes</li>
										<li>Should not be disturbed in the wild for the purposes of study</li>
										<li>Should not suffer solely for the benefit of humans.</li>
									</ul>
									<p>
										Whether you agree or disagree with these positions, you should be aware of them and understand how they could impact your research. In addition, you should be prepared to advocate on behalf of your research if necessary. In order to help with this, you should be aware of organisations that help provide a conduit between public perception and animal research (see the "Useful links" pod).
									</p>
								</div>
							</div>
							<!-- MOBILE ACTIVITY END -->

							<interactive-text class="hide-in-mobile"><h3>Summary</h3></interactive-text>

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							<!-- USEFUL LINKS START -->
							<pod variant="a" has-modal="true">
								<pod-heading>Useful links</pod-heading> <!-- pod title -->
								<pod-content></pod-content>
								<!-- pop-up pod content -->
								<pod-modal-heading>Useful links</pod-modal-heading>
								<pod-modal-content>
									<hosted-link id="RI_INT_hca_1_50">
										<p><a href="http://www.understandinganimalresearch.org.uk/" target="_blank">Understanding Animal Research</a></p>
									</hosted-link>								
								</pod-modal-content>
							</pod>
							<!-- USEFUL LINKS END -->

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						<page-content-main>

							<accessible-text class="show-in-mobile"><h3>Summary</h3></accessible-text>
							
							<p>One simple way to check whether you are meeting your continuing responsibilities is to consider how you would respond if a visitor or official inspector paid you a visit. Could you:</p>
							
							<ul>
								<li>Fully document and explain the care you are providing?</li>
								<li>Be confident that everyone working with you is aware of and follows best practice?</li>
								<li>Explain why you can do nothing further to follow the principles of the 3Rs?</li>
								<li>Engage someone who disapproves of animal research in a thoughtful conversation (assuming the person is willing to listen)?</li>
							</ul>
							
							<p>Humans bond with or identify with animals in different ways. Someone observing your research might not view the animals you are studying or using in your work the same way you do. It is, therefore, essential to follow best practice from start to finish so that you can assure yourself and others that your work lives up to accepted standards for the care and use of animals in research.</p>
							
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