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“The webinar was on animal research ethics. Animals are biologically similar to humans. Animals help researchers with experimenting and testing new drugs and the effectiveness of medical treatments and their safety. The use of animals in research also helps identify any side effects of the drugs and medical treatments, such as infertility and birth defects. Not only humans benefit from animal research, but also veterinary clinics,” she Tshepiso Mokoena, senior officer at the postgraduate school.

According to Mokoena, the law and regulations are there to prevent the mistreatment of animals in research laboratories. “There are laws enacted to regulate the use and care of laboratory animals. This is why the postgraduate school invited the expert Dr Bert Mohr, who has over 22 years of animal research and is a registered veterinary specialist.

“He conducted animal research ethics webinars for UFS postgrads and staff members. Addressing topics such as 'The value of animal research, morality, and ethics, laws, and regulations', and 'The role of the animal research committee',” adds Mokoena.

She ends by saying that the webinar was on a foundation level and he is still going to conduct an intermediate-level webinar.

OFM News/Lee Simmons