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		<title>Basic responsibilities</title>
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							<p>The care and use of animals in research involves responsibilities that closely mirror the basic responsibilities for research with human participants and research in general. The key difference between research with human participants and that of animal subjects is that animals cannot speak for themselves or represent their own interests. Humane care and use, therefore, rests on strict compliance with the rules and guidelines established to protect animals.</p>

							<h3>Four basic responsibilities</h3>

							<p>There are four key responsibilities when it comes to the care and use of animals in research.</p>

							<instructional-text><p>Consider each responsibility, and then use the "Click to view more" button to access further information. Use the "Next" and "Back" buttons to navigate between the different responsibilities.</p></instructional-text>
							<accessible-text><p>Consider each responsibility, and then continue on for further information about each.</p></accessible-text>
							
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									  <p>Know which animals and activities are subject to regulation.</p>
									</ctvm-question>
									<ctvm-feedback>
									  <p>In general, the regulations and best practices for animal research apply to:</p>
									  <ul>
										  <li>Vertebrates and cephalopods</li>
										  <li>Animals being studied outside their natural environment</li>
										  <li>Studies occurring in natural settings that could have an impact on animals (e.g. changing their feeding patterns or social behaviours).</li>
									  </ul>
									  <p>Under some circumstances, non-vertebrate animals might be subject to regulations or professional guidelines.</p>
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										<ctvm-question>
										<p>Understand and follow the rules for developing and getting approval for projects.</p>
										</ctvm-question>
										<ctvm-feedback>
										<p>If you study or use animals as part of your research or even creative activities, you could be subject to different regulations and guidelines. You are responsible for knowing when your work is regulated and must be approved. If you are uncertain, contact the appropriate office or person at your institution to find out. Do not make any assumptions if you are not sure about your responsibilities.</p>
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									<ctvm>
										<ctvm-question>
											<p>Obtain appropriate training for yourself (and, if you manage others, your staff).</p>
										</ctvm-question>
										<ctvm-feedback>
											<p>Everyone working with animals in research should have an introduction to basic responsibilities, as provided in this course. If you care for, interact with or handle animals, additional in-person training is usually required. For example, if you are planning to work with protected species on a project that falls under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act, 1986, you will need to undergo specific training with the species you will handle. You will also have to be competency-checked by your institution's Named Training and Competency Officer (NTCO) and signed off on an institutional register. Finally, you should ensure you are familiar with all local risk assessments and protocols for interacting with animals, and that you consult the local health and safety advisor to ensure that all appropriate checks are carried out prior to commencing your work.</p>
										</ctvm-feedback>
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									<ctvm>
										<ctvm-question>
											<p>Accept continuing responsibility for compliance through all stages of a project, and be open about your practices.</p>
										</ctvm-question>
										<ctvm-feedback>
											<p>Getting approval for animal research is a first step, not the last. As will be outlined below, your responsibilities for the humane treatment of the animals you study or use continue through to the formal completion of a study. It is critical to be open and transparent about all aspects of the work throughout the process of research, including any unintentional breaches of regulations (e.g. exceeding the anticipated severity level of a protocol). In line with this, many universities in the UK have signed up to the Concordat on Openness on Animal Research in the UK (see the "Useful links" pod).</p>
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								<h4>Statement 1 of 4:</h4>
								<p>Know which animals and activities are subject to regulation.</p>
								<h4>Feedback:</h4>
								<p>In general, the regulations and best practices for animal research apply to:</p>
								<ul>
									<li>Vertebrates and cephalopods</li>
									<li>Animals being studied outside their natural environment</li>
									<li>Studies occurring in natural settings that could have an impact on animals (e.g. changing their feeding patterns or social behaviours).</li>
								</ul>
								<p>Under some circumstances, non-vertebrate animals might be subject to regulations or professional guidelines.</p>
								<hr>
								<h4>Statement 2 of 4:</h4>
								<p>Understand and follow the rules for developing and getting approval for projects.</p>
								<h4>Feedback:</h4>
								<p>If you study or use animals as part of your research or even creative activities, you could be subject to different regulations and guidelines. You are responsible for knowing when your work is regulated and must be approved. If you are uncertain, contact the appropriate office or person at your institution to find out. Do not make any assumptions if you are not sure about your responsibilities.</p>
								<hr>
								<h4>Statement 3 of 4:</h4>
								<p>Obtain appropriate training for yourself (and, if you manage others, your staff).</p>
								<h4>Feedback:</h4>
								<p>Everyone working with animals in research should have an introduction to basic responsibilities, as provided in this course. If you care for, interact with or handle animals, additional in-person training is usually required. For example, if you are planning to work with protected species on a project that falls under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act, 1986, you will need to undergo specific training with the species you will handle. You will also have to be competency-checked by your institution's Named Training and Competency Officer (NTCO) and signed off on an institutional register. Finally, you should ensure you are familiar with all local risk assessments and protocols for interacting with animals, and that you consult the local health and safety advisor to ensure that all appropriate checks are carried out prior to commencing your work.</p>
								<hr>
								<h4>Statement 4 of 4:</h4>
								<p>Accept continuing responsibility for compliance through all stages of a project, and be open about your practices.</p>
								<h4>Feedback:</h4>
								<p>Getting approval for animal research is a first step, not the last. Your responsibilities for the humane treatment of the animals you study or use continue through to the formal completion of a study. It is critical to be open and transparent about all aspects of the work throughout the process of research, including any unintentional breaches of regulations (e.g. exceeding the anticipated severity level of a protocol). In line with this, many universities in the UK have signed up to the Concordat on Openness on Animal Research in the UK (see the "Useful links" pod).</p>
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							<p>For more detailed information on the basic responsibilities involved with the care and use of animals in research, refer to the resources provided by the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) International. The AAALAC's resources pages provide up-to-date contact information for other international organisations, as well as links to nation-specific care and use regulations (see the "Useful links" pod).</p>

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								<pod-heading>Useful links</pod-heading> <!-- pod title -->
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								<pod-modal-heading>Useful links</pod-modal-heading>
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										<p><a href="http://concordatopenness.org.uk/" target="_blank">Concordat on Openness on Animal Research in the UK</a></p>
										<p><a href="https://www.aaalac.org/resources/internationalregs.cfm" target="_blank">Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) International &ndash; Resources</a></p>
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							<h3>Summary</h3>

							<p>Researchers must be aware of their four basic responsibilities and take them seriously. They should:</p>
							<ul>
								<li>Know which animals and activities are subject to regulation</li>
								<li>Know and follow the regulations</li>
								<li>Make sure everyone is appropriately trained</li>
								<li>Accept responsibility from start to finish.</li>
							</ul>
							<p>These are the overall tenets of best practice for the responsible use of animals in research. To follow them, however, it is important to develop a more detailed understanding of your responsibilities. The rules and guidelines for the responsible use of animals in research vary from country to country. In the UK, regulations have been in place for many years, and are ingrained within the research culture of the country and of individual institutions.</p>

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