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Animal Research Ethics Committee (AREC)
All research and teaching activities involving animals under the auspices of the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg requires ethics clearance from the AREC.
How to Apply?
- A new online Ethics Management System (EMS) with Ethics User Guide is available on link: https://www.witsethics.co.za/Login.aspx
- Applicants can self-register, save, download, and submit their online ethic applications for approval to the various ethics committees
- It is very important that you first read the Guidelines for completion of applications to Animal Research Ethics Committee
- Applicants seeking information on the Animal Research Ethics can email to Dept-Secretary-AREC@wits.ac.za or Shaun.Schoeman@wits.ac.za - 011 717 1408 or mmatshepo.taunyane@wits.ac.za - 011 717 1788
Downloads:
- AREC Submission Dates 2024
- Application for approval to undertake a sugical training course using animals
- Application For Adaptations Or Modifications And Extensions To Experiments
- Planning studies or teaching activities
- Guidelines for studies at more than one institution
- SA National Standard on the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes
- Guidelines for Section 20 Applicants
- Section 20 Application Form
- Section 20 of the Animal Diseases Act - 1984
- SAVC GUIDELINE FOR AUTHORISATION
- SAVC_Employee Employer Supervision Agreement
- SAVC - Table of Approved Protocols
- FR-SL.I004_study log index
- 1 FR-SL.FC001_study log front cover
- 2 SOP-G.FR001_guidelines for filling form records
- 3 FR-SL.SR002_study record
- 4 FR-SL.WR003_weight recordsheet
- 5 FR-SL.WM002B_welfare monitoring CatB group
- 5 FR-SL.WM003C_welfare monitoring CatC group
- 5 FR-SL.WS008_welfare scoresheet
- 6 FR-SL.SS007_study summary
- 7 R-VR.SP002 sedation and preparation
- 8 R-VR.DL004_drug list
- 9 R-VR.PA003_procedure and anaesthetic
- 12 FR-SL.RS006 record of signatures
- 13 R-VR.TL006 treatment record
- 14 R-VR.HN001_history and necropsy
- 15 FR-SL.TR010_training compitence register
- 2a AREC Classification of Severity Categories in Animal Research
- 3a Annexure A AREC Incident Report
- 3a Annexure B AREC Incident Investigation_Annexure B V2
- 3a Annexure C AREC Formal Inquiry_Annexure C V2
- 3a AREC Policy Incident_Adverse event_Non-compliance
- SAVC 2021 APR 21_Updated Veterinary VS Non-Veterinary Procedures Table_FINAL
- SAVC Application Form_Authorisation_Veterinarians and Para-vets_Editable
- SAVC Supervision Agreement_Editable
- 1a AREC AECC ToR
- 1a AREC SOP
- 1a Code of Conduct
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Biobanks Ethics Committee
Reviews all applications for the establishment of biobanks and to make recommendations to the HREC; and to review all research using tissue samples and / or associated data from approved biobanks and make recommendations to the HREC.
How to apply?
For enquiries regarding progress or outcome of ethics application contact the Research Administrator – Ms Zanele Ndlovu, Mr Rhulani Mkansi HREC-Medical.ResearchOffice@wits.ac.za – 011 717 1252/2700/1234/2656
Form:
- Coronavirus And Ethics Committee Work 2020
- For collection, storage or transfer of biological samples and data at an approved Biobank. NB parallel submission to BEC2 and HREC (Medical) ethics application allowed.
Guidelines and Policies
Downloads
- BEC Ethics Meeting and Submission Dates 2024
- BEC 1 Application Form 2024
- BEC 2 Application Form 2024
- BEC 1 Biobank Checklist 2024
- BEC 1 Checklist 2024
- BEC 2 Checklist 2024
- Approved Biobanks - Storage Facilities 2023
- External Applications Reviewer Fee
- Policy and Principles on Biobanks 2017
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Clinical Drug Trials
How to apply?
Application forms may be downloaded from http://www.witshealth.co.za by clicking on Ethics. In the latter case, a fee is payable.
Contact:
Admin Supervisor
Jennifer Bryce-Borthwick
Tel: (011) 274-9278
E Mail: jbryce@witshealth.co.za
Ethics Administrator
Augustina Hennessy
Tel: (011) 274-9279
E Mail: ahennessy@witshealth.co.za
Ethics Administrator
Eric Moso
Tel: (011) 274-9280
E Mail: emoso@witshealth.co.za -
Human Research Ethics Committee (Medical)
All research activities under the auspices of the University of the Witwatersrand require ethics clearance for research involving human participants. The rule of thumb is that any staff or students from the Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) must submit an application for ethics clearance to the HREC (Medical) if the research involves any human participants. If the proposed research is done at a medical facility (hospital or clinic, etc.) with/out medical professionals then an application for ethics clearance must be submitted to the HREC (Medical).
New full applications must be submitted online by following the link: https://www.witsethics.co.za/Login.aspx
The following categories will remain paper-based: renewals, annual recertifications, progress reports, protocol violations, protocol amendments, case reports, ethics waivers, substudies, lab studies, urgent communicable diseases outbreaks, and reciprocal studies approved by other primary universities.
When submitting these paper-based applications, please send two hardcopies to the Research Office, Faculty of Health Sciences, Phillip Tobias Building, Offices 301-304, 3rd Floor, Corner York Road, and 29 Princess of Wales Terrace, Parktown, 2193.
For enquiries regarding the progress or outcome of ethics application contact the Ethics Administrators using this central email address: HREC-Medical.ResearchOffice@wits.ac.za.
Planned Meeting Dates
The closing dates for submission (both electronic and paper-based) and the dates for the subsequent ethics meetings are listed here.
How to apply?
Downloads
- Timelines 2024
- HREC (Med) Terms of Reference (ToR)
- HREC (Med) SOP
- HREC (Med) Application Form for 2024
- HREC(Med) Amendment Form 2024
- HREC (Med) Waiver Form for 2024
- HREC (Med) Case Report Form 2024
- HREC (Med) Sub-study Form 2024
- HREC (Med) Retro Review Form 2024
- HREC (Med) New/Additional Investigator Form 2024
- HREC (Med) De-identified Human Material Study Form 2024
- HREC (Med) Procedure Notes
- HREC Progress Report
- Information Sheet
- Risk Table (Medical)
- Generic Consent Form
- Interviews-Questionnaires-Focus Groups
- Minor Blood Volumes
- Distress Protocol
- Biobanks – please visit https://www.wits.ac.za/research/researcher-support/research-ethics/ethics-committees/ and select Biobanks Ethics Committee
- Wits Research Integrity Policy
- Wits Research Integrity Procedures
- DoH Ethics in Health Research Guidelines
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Human Research Ethics Committee (Non-Medical)
All research activities under the auspices of the University of the Witwatersrand requires ethics clearance from the HREC (non-medical) if it involves humans participants; and if the research includes social, educational and/or psychological behaviour or perceptions, personal data required by an institution.
How to apply?
- Coronavirus And Ethics Committee Work 2020
- A new online Ethics Management System (EMS) with Ethics User Guide is available on link: https://www.witsethics.co.za/Login.aspx
- Applicants can self-register, save, download, and submit their online ethic applications for approval to the various ethics committees.
Please contact Shaun Schoeman, Shaun.Schoeman@wits.ac.za- 011717 1408 or Mmatshepo Taunyane, mmatshepo.taunyane@wits.ac.za - 011 717 1788 for queries.
Downloads
- HREC (NON-MED) Submission and Meeting Dates - 2024
- Terms of Reference
- Standard Operating Procedures SOP of the Human Research Ethics Committee
- Appeals form
- Ethics complaint structure
- Ethics complaints form
- Example of a Consent Form
- Example of a Participant Information Sheet
- Example of letter requesting permission
- Example of Consent Form for 1 child’s parent or guardian
- Ethics handling of Honours and MCWRR projects by Schools
- Guidance on the use of Permission letters
- Guidelines for amendments
- Risk Table
- Wits Research Integrity Guidelines & Procedures
- Wits Research Integrity Policy
- HREC Progress Report Form
- Signature page when making a Non Medical ethics application
- FORM A Request from Hons, Masters & PhD students or staff to conduct research
- FORM B Request to conduct research (Non Wits staff and students)
- Guidelines for applicants
- Guidelines for observations
- Distress Protocol
- Ethics training guidelines
- Transparency in Ethical Research
- Guidelines for the Reporting and Management of Serious Adverse Events
- Serious Adverse Event (SAE) Reporting Form
- Guidelines to conduct research in GDE institutions
- GDE - Research Request Form
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Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC)
Biosafety is concerned with the containment methods required when managing parasites, infectious agents and infected or potentially infected animals, tissues or other materials. The purpose is to reduce exposure of laboratory workers, other persons and the outside environment, to potentially hazardous agents.
Four principles of biomedical ethics are generally recognised:- autonomy (respect for the person - a notion of human dignity
- beneficence (benefit to the research participant)
- non-maleficence (absence of harm to the participant)
- justice (notably distributive justice - equal distribution of risks and benefits between communities
Worker and public safety is of paramount concern. Workers must be adequately trained and provided with a working environment in which the necessary facilities and equipment are available. If this is done and the guidelines below are observed, risk to the public will be minimised.
- Please contact Mmatshepo Taunyane at mmatshepo.taunyane@wits.ac.za or 011 717 1788 for queries.
When considering research protocols, the Biosafety Committee is involved in various processes, including risk assessment, which would include, but not be limited to:
- concentration and quantity of organisms
- stability and viability of organism
- potential for transmission, by contact or aerosol
- nature of the work
- specific risks associated with genetically-modified organisms (GMO s)
- risk of harmful bi-products
- risk of unknown contaminants
Downloads
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Research Integrity - Wits Policy
The University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg (Wits, or the University), is a research intensive university that strives for excellence in research as part of the broader scope of scholarly endeavour. Research is understood to be the process of thorough investigation, systematic discovery and/or rigorous analysis that aims to uncover the truth, produce a deeper understanding and/or create new knowledge.
- Click here Wits Research Integrity Policy
- Click here: Wits Research Integrity Procedures
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Ethics in Health Research
Health research is vital for the advancement of health care services for the people of South Africa. Because of its excellent health care and research infrastructure, skills and expertise, South Africa provides a rich arena for health and health-related research.
Click here: Ethics in Health Research Principles, Processes and Structures