26 September 2019
Lisa Dymond
By email:
[FYI request #11085 email]
Dear Lisa
Official information request for information related to the forced swim test
and animal vivisection
I refer to your requests for information under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act)
dated 1 August 2019.
Each of your requests, and the University’s response, is set out below.
“How many animals are tested per year on (sic) the swim test?”
The University has not performed the forced swim test this year, therefore no animals
have been subjected to this test in 2019.
“How many animals survive this test?”
All animals used in the forced swim test survive.
“What happens to the animals following from your testings - both living and
deceased?”
The rats remain in the laboratory. As stated above, all animals survive the forced swim
test.
“What is the process followed for deceased animals?”
There are no deceased animals from the forced swim test, therefore no process to follow.
“What new insight is gained by repeating the Forced swim test?”
The forced swim test measures the rats coping strategy to acute stress and provides an
insight into the neural limb of the stress response. Previous research at the University
utilising the test aimed to identify side effects on the stress response when studying novel
pharmaceutical treatments. The forced swim test has a specialised utility and limitations
that make it only applicable in specific situations, such as where there is suspicion that a
compound is acting on the parts of the brain involved in the stress response.
“How many VUW students refuse to perform the swim test?”
No students at the University have ever refused to perform the forced swim test.
“How much does it cost to perform the test per semester?”
Due to the substantial amount of work that would be required to research and collate the
information you have requested, we are refusing your request under section 18(f) of the
Act. There are a large number of factors the University would need to consider in order to
calculate the cost of this test. These include:
The time of the researchers and/or student. We would need to figure out exactly
who has performed each test and then calculate their hourly rates during the
reporting period;
Equipment used in the test. This includes one-off purchases of cameras and
equipment necessary to run the test;
Costs of maintaining the animals. This is dependent on the age of the animals at
the time they go through the test. The University would need to retrospectively go
back through lab-books and collate the age of the animals.
There is no single record detailing this information, therefore this would need to be
collated from scratch. The University considered whether a charge and/or extension
would be adequate to mitigate the impact of this request, allowing us to answer your
questions as required by section 18A of the Act. However, we believe this work would still
have a significant and unreasonable impact on the University’s ability to carry out its
other operations.
“Specifically what other animals are tested on at VUW for?”
In 2018, the following animals were used in tests at the University:
Mice
Rats
Birds
Possums
Reptiles
Fish
Rats are the only animals used in the forced swim test.
“Which departments allow the testing?”
All procedures involving animals are approved at an institutional level by an Animal
Ethics Committee operating under an MPI approved and gazetted Code of Ethical
Conduct. As such, no single department ‘allows’ the testing. Research involving animals
is only approved where there is no practicable non-animal alternative available and any
harm which is done to the animal can be justified by the potential benefits that the
research will bring. All decisions to allow animal research at the University are approved
by consensus by a committee which includes Animal Welfare organisation
representatives, Veterinarians, Science Advisors, and a layperson.
“Does the Ethics committee hold regular reviews to incorporate public
perception of vivisection?”
The AEC is regularly updated on advancements in the reduction, refinement and
replacement of animals in research and testing, either through regular newsletters
(Understanding Animal Research, NC3Rs, etc.), submissions to the AEC, and attendance
at conferences including the following in 2017-2019:
ANZCCART 2017: “Maintaining social license in a changing world”
ANZCCART 2018: “Keeping it relevant”
ANZLAA 2018
ANZLAA 2019
MPI Animal Sentience Workshop 2017
NAEAC workshop for AEC members 2018
NZVA conference workshop 2018
The AEC take this information in to account when reviewing applications. In 2019 the
AEC specifically considered submissions made by the NZAVS and PETA regarding the
forced swim test.
“How much does it cost to perform each forced swim test?”
Again, due to the substantial amount of work that would be required to research and
collate the information you have requested, we are refusing your request under section
18(f) of the Act. The University would need to consider the same factors relevant to your
previous question, and as stated above, we believe this work would amount to substantial
collation. The University considered whether a charge and/or extension would be
adequate to mitigate the impact of this request, allowing us to answer your questions as
required by section 18A of the Act. However, we again believe this work would still have a
significant and unreasonable impact on the University’s ability to carry out its other
operations.
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this
decision. Information about how to make a complaint is available at
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602.
If you wish to discuss this decision with us, please feel free to contact me at
[VUW request email]. Yours sincerely
Georgia Tawharu
Adviser, Information Access and Copyright
