RESEARCH

Reseachers and science teachers have been asked to respect the rights of animals as they carry out experiments and research on them.

Agriculture minister Frank Tumwebaze said that Uganda’s scientists have had discussions on how to be ethical, using the correct protocols not to violate the rights of animals during experiments.

He said this during the launch of the new National Guidelines for Use of Animals in Research and Teaching - during the 11th Annual National Research Ethics e-Conference (ANREC). 

It was organised by the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology in Kampala. 

“Animals cannot talk and give informed consent. Why do we research and for who, to what extent, is the research informing policy discourse? You do research to improve breeding, to help disease control and mitigation and career development,” said Tumwebaze. 

The new guidelines require researchers and teachers to improve the care given to animals and the way research procedures are carried out.  They require minimum pain and harm to be inflicted on animals during research. The guidelines provide penalties for non- compliance.

The penalties include revocation of research approval for a study, withdrawing research permits, suspension of studies, and disciplinary action by professional bodies and disqualification. 

The agriculture minister asked researchers to come up with appropriate breed of animals for Ugandans.

He said farmers complain they are being told to leave local breeds yet they find exotic breeds expensive to look after. His view is that farmers need help from experts.

He warned scientists and technocrats at his ministry against making decisions based on opinions and anecdotal sources.

"Let us look at what scientists have studied and recommended. Sometimes reports are lying in shelves. One scientist has done many studies on ticks but the findings are not implemented. This has to stop," said Tumwebaze. 

“We have to commercialise research innovations and products. We will protect the value of the inventor."

He also asked scientists to improve their communication skills to disseminate their research findings. 

Dr. Martin Patrick Ongol, the acting executive secretary at the National Council of Science and Technology, said progress has been made in terms of policy reforms and establishment of regulatory mechanisms both at institutional and national level in ensuring safety of research participants - both human and animals.

The new guidelines, he said, will enhance the credibility of research done in Uganda as they will be following guidelines which abide by international guidelines. 

“Our scientific work had questions internationally on validity as we did not have guidelines. The guidelines also protect the researchers from different public perceptions."

Dr. Gertrude Kiwanuka is the dean at the Fculty of Medicine at Mbarara University of Science and Technology. She said research drives the economy and that results from research should be trusted. 

She added that integrity affects all parts of the research life cycle and called on senior researchers to mentor junior researchers.

Kiwanuka, who is also the chairperson of the ANREC advisory committee, said that through the conference they hoped to prevent research misconduct happening in Uganda.

“Informed consent during research requires use of documents. During epidemics, research misconduct increases as people seek quick therapeutic remedies. 

"The right of privacy and duty of confidentiality are key."