Animal Use in Research and the New EU Directive: Challenges and Opportunities for Animal Welfare, Science, Ethics and Society

This conference will address the ethical, legal and scientific issues raised by the new EU Directive (2010/63/EU) on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes. This new legislation, which must be implemented in the UK by 2013, has the potential to shape attitudes towards and the use of animals in research. The conference represents an important forum within which the issues raised by the Directive can be interrogated and debated. It aims to promote dialogue between lawyers, ethicists, biomedical scientists, social scientists and veterinarians regarding the ethical use of animals and the extent to which their welfare can be further improved.

When: 14th & 15th June 2012

Where: Northumbria University, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne

More Information: http://www.law.unn.ac.uk/animal_law

Description

The key objectives of the Conference are to:
Examine the ways in which the legislation is likely to impact mechanisms to support and further impel activities regarding the use of Alternatives (reduction, refine and replacement of animals) in biomedical research and teaching;
Promote dialogue between lawyers, ethicists, biomedical scientists, social scientists and veterinarians regarding the ethical use of animals, and the extent to which welfare can be further improved;
Provide a platform for future collaborative and interdisciplinary research in these areas;
Facilitate opportunities for cross-disciplinary teaching and training.

More broadly, this event will provide an important space within which to engage with broader issues pertaining to the use of animals in science and medicine.

In addition, we are holding a pre-conference public event on the evening of 13 June, entitled ‘Animal Use in Research: Ethics and Public Opinion’ (led by Dr James Yeates (RSPCA)). The aim of this is to promote greater awareness of the complexity of the ethical issues surrounding the use of animals in research, and to encourage public engagement with and involvement in these matters. All conference attendees are invited to this event, which will provide opportunities for dialogue between academics and wider publics.

Registration Information

Visit the meeting website for more information and to register:
http://www.law.unn.ac.uk/animal_law