Recap: Exploring the ethical framework for obtaining materials from sentient animals
Recap:
Exploring the ethical framework for obtaining materials from sentient animals
22 January 2026, 10:00-11:00 GMT
On 22 January 2026, we hosted the third session of our Expert webinar series – public forums for leading voices to share insights on emerging topics in research integrity.
At this session, we were joined by guest speakers who led the development of the Ethical framework for obtaining materials from sentient animals. Developed with support from UKRIO, this resource provides clear, accessible, and practical guidance to help researchers navigate the ethical dimensions of research involving materials from sentient animals. It supports consistent, informed, and proportionate decision-making, and encourages active, reflective practice.
Speakers outlined the background to the framework’s creation, explored its scope and content, and highlighted how individuals and organisations can adopt or adapt any part of it to enhance their ethical assessment processes.
About the speakers
Carol Smee
Carol Smee has worked at the Wellcome Sanger Institute for over 17 years, starting as the Regulatory Adviser and building a team of research governance professionals over this time. After working across multiple aspects of regulatory compliance, including the Human Tissue Act and Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act, setting relevant Institute policies, creating processes, and enabling ethical review at the Institute, she is now Head of Research Governance for Trusted Global Compliance. In this role, Carol leads a team which focuses on the use of non-human materials in research. The team enables compliance with regulations associated with Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS), including the Nagoya Protocol; wildlife and environmental legislation, including protected species, protected areas and import authorisations; and carries out ethical assessment ahead of the use of materials from sentient animals.
She supported the development of the Framework as a leading contributor and convener.
Dr Nikki Osborne
Dr Nikki Osborne is the Founding Director of Learning Development & Research Training Ltd and a licensed Mindset Practitioner. Since gaining her PhD in Developmental Neurobiology at King’s College London, Nikki has accumulated over 20 years of experience working within the academic research community within the UK, Europe and beyond. During this time, she worked with academic, commercial, regulatory and non-governmental organisations to promote best practice and support its implementation through education, training, ethical and peer review, plus policy work.
She supported the development of the Framework as a contributor.