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Ethics Committees

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
  • The Applicant is requested to submit ONE (1) hard copy of the online application form after submitting online to the office of the Secretariat: Room 10 004, 10th Floor, Solomon Mahlangu House, East Campus. See documents to download below
  • 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 Shaun.Schoeman@wits.ac.za /  011 717 1408

  • In addition to the online application, you are requested to submit one signed hardcopy of the online application and supporting documents to the Research Office, Solomon Mahlangu House, 10th floor, room 10004. Please note that your application will not be reviewed if the signed hardcopy of your application and supporting documents are not submitted

Downloads:

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:

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.

BEC 1 Form 2018

Guidelines and Policies

Downloads

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 requires 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 reseach 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).

The Research Office is using only paper-based submission at this time.

For enquiries regarding progress or outcome of ethics application contact the Research Administrator – Mr Rhulani Mkansi Rhulani.Mkansi@wits.ac.za or Ms Zanele Ndlovu  zanele.ndlovu@wits.ac.za  – 011 717 1252/2700/1234/2656

How to apply?

  • Application to the Human Research Ethics Committee (Medical) for Clearance of Research Involving Human Subjects
  • HREC (Medical) Submission and Meeting dates for 2018 (Closed meeting - Applicants do not attend the meeting)
  • Application form checklist
  • Information sheet
  • Guidelines for Acceptable Blood Volumes by Weight for Research with Minors

Downloads

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. This excludes research activities at a medical facility; e.g. hospitals, clinics, research labs, pharmacies, etc.

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.
  • The Applicant is requested to submit ONE (1) hard copy of the online application form after submitting online to the office of the Secretariat: Room 10 004, 10th Floor, Solomon Mahlangu House (formerly Senate House), East Campus. See documents to download below.

Please contact Shaun Schoeman, Shaun.Schoeman@wits.ac.za or 011717 1408 for queries.

In addition to the online application, you are requested to submit one signed hardcopy of the online application and supporting documents (i.e. proposal, participant information sheet(s), consent form(s), instruments and permission letters if applicable to your study) to the Research Office, Solomon Mahlangu House, 10th floor, room 10004. Please note that your application will not be reviewed if the signed hardcopy of your application and supporting documents are not submitted

Downloads 

 

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 general public will be minimised.

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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