Ethics

Ethical Approval
University policy
Human subjects
Animal subjects
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs)

Ethical Approval

In their application to enrol in a higher degree candidates must declare whether or not their research requires ethical approval. Ethical approval is required for all research involving human research subjects (including medical and/or teaching related research) animal or genetically modified organisms Ethical approval should be obtained at the earliest opportunity.

A statement concerning the requirement for any ethical approvals and a copy of any ethical approval application and of the ethical consent, where appropriate, must accompany the Application for Confirmed Enrolment and research plan which is due not later than six months (full-time, 12 months part-time) after enrolment.

An appropriate time to review the ethical status of research is during the preparation of six-monthly progress reports.

University Policy

Researchers should participate only in work which conforms to agreed ethical standards and which they are competent to perform in a manner which meets those standards.

The University has a Human Research Ethics Committee, an Animal Ethics Committee and an Institutional Biological Safety Committee (IBSC). Research involving human subjects, personal information (including any personal records) animals, or genetically modified organisms (GMOs) must be approved by the appropriate ethics committee before research commences.

Where research which has an ethical component is conducted overseas, ethical approval must be sought both in New Zealand and overseas to ensure that any potential differences in cultural values are fully considered. This requirement applies even when the staff member or candidate is working at another institution.

Human Subjects

Researchers are responsible for identifying human research in their projects and must not commence a human research project until it has been approved by the appropriate authority. Supervisors of postgraduate students are expected to take all reasonable steps to ensure compliance with the regulations. In particular, factors that might compromise research such as:

Conflict of interest;
Relationships with potential research participants;
Potential risks to the well-being or cultural safety of research participants need to be identified and amelioration strategies agreed before research commences.

If an ethical issue relating to human research that was not envisaged when the research was originally begun arises during the course of a research project, the researcher must stop the research and declare the issue to supervisors and the Postgraduate Studies Committee, and abide by such requirements for the research to proceed as the Committee, after appropriate consultation determines.

Similary, anyone not actively involved in a research project who becomes aware of information that appears to compromise on ethical grounds the continued conduct or supervision of research should advsie the Postgraduate Studies Committee without delay, so that the matter can be attended to appropriately.

Each School of Studies and Faculty has one or more committees with responsibility at the School, Faculty or departmental level, delegated by the Human Research Ethics Committee. Applications for approval of human research must be submitted in the form prescribed for the relevant School, Faculty, department or unit. A format suggested by the Human Research Ethics Committee is available (Appendix 2.1 of the Handbook on Ethical Conduct in Research).

Animal Subjects

Users of live animals for teaching, research or the production of biologically active agents have ethical and legal responsibility for the welfare of those animals.

A candidate involved in the use of animals for research must comply with the University's Code of Ethical Conduct for the Use of Animals for Teaching and Research, or any other instruction by the Animal Ethics Committee.

This committee is established by the Vice-Chancellor in accordance with the requirements of the Animal Welfare Act 1999, and is responsible for:

ensuring that any experimental procedure involving live animals complies with the Animal Welfare Act 1999 and the University's Code of Ethical Conduct for the Use of Animals for Teaching and Research;
initiating investigations into any suspected non-compliance with the Animal Welfare Act 1999 or the University's Code of Ethical Conduct for the Use of Animals for Teaching and Research;
arbitrating in disputes about use of live animals for teaching and research.

Genetically Modified Organisims (GMOS)

Researchers intending to use or develop genetically modified organisms (GMOs) must first obtain relevant approvals from the Institutional Biological Safety Committee (IBSC) and, having obtained the relevant approvals, must carry out the activity in an approved designated area and in accordance with any conditions attached to the approvals.

The IBSC, which is located in the Department of Biological Sciences, is established by the Vice-Chancellor in accordance with the requirements of the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996, to act under delegated authority from the Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA).

The regulations governing student research are set out in the calendar. Further details of the University's policies, codes and processes are published in the Handbook on Ethical Conduct in Research, which can be viewed on the University's web site at http://www.waikato.ac.nz/uow/research.shtml#internal.