The University of British Columbia has been ordered to release more details from its animal research facility.
The Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner (OIPC) ordered UBC to release additional details to Stop UBC Animal Research, a group that is looking to bring an end to UBC’s animal research program.
OIPC adjudicator Jay Fedorak’s decision comes after UBC refused to provide any information to the group, citing privacy for individual researchers.
While the OIPC decision recognizes the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act does allow UBC to withhold research material belonging to researchers, not all of the requests fall under this provision.
“We achieved a small victory yesterday, and hope this will lead to increased transparency, which is in everyone’s interests,” says Lori Massini, legal representative for Stop UBC Animal Research.
The decision orders UBC to release inspection reports from the Canadian Council on Animal Care, the body that oversees animal research. The Animal Care Committee members and affiliates names must also be disclosed. UBC must disclose the documents that provide information on the source of non-human primates used in experiments at UBC.
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The advocacy group believes the public has a right to know what UBC is doing with animals as the university’s research is funded by taxpayer dollars.
UBC Vice President of Research, John Hepburn, says the university is committed to providing information that leads to better understanding of animal research.
“With the new data we are making public today, we take another step towards responsible transparency on the critical research we conduct at UBC.”
More detailed information that could affect “the integrity of the research, intellectual property rights, the safety and privacy of researchers and staff, or the security of campus facilities will not be divulged,” said Hepburn in a press release posted on the UBC website Monday.
According to information provided on the UBC animal research website, in 2010, a total of 211,604 animals were involved in scientific research at UBC; 97 per cent of the animals used were rodents (56 per cent), fish (35 per cent) and reptiles and amphibians (6 per cent).
Stop UBC Animal Research says they will continue to submit additional requests for information as the group believes more work can be done to achieve their goals.
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