STELLENBOSCH – An investigation into research misconduct at Stellenbosch University has revealed that students collecting urine samples from sheep used an unauthorised “smothering” technique, temporarily cutting off the animals’ air supply when their approved methods failed.
The incident, which occurred during a research study in June, involved students placing their hands over sheep’s nostrils and mouths to induce “transient apnea” – a method not approved by the university’s Research Ethics Committee: Animal Care and Use (REC: ACU).
The university’s four-month investigation which concluded recently, confirmed that students deviated from the approved palpation method when their initial attempts to collect urine samples were unsuccessful. However, investigators found that no animals died as a result of the technique.
The unauthorised practice was immediately stopped by an on-site veterinarian who recognised the potential harm to the animals. According to the investigation report, students did not attempt the method again after being made aware of the ethical concerns.
“The deviation stemmed from the fact that the students involved were unaware that the method of transient apnea would be an unethical alternative,” the Research Integrity Officer concluded in the formal report.
The investigation, led by a Research Integrity Officer appointed on 15 July, also found that the principal investigator failed to report the protocol deviation to the ethics committee as required.
Investigators identified two primary factors that led to the incident: insufficient communication between staff and students in the Department of Animal Science, and unclear processes following research ethics approval.
The processes and procedures that follow research ethics approval were not clear to all parties involved in the research study.
The investigation dismissed allegations that the animals were deprived of food and water, confirming these claims as unfounded since the sheep were part of a legitimate feed trial.
In response to the findings, Stellenbosch University has implemented comprehensive corrective measures. The Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Studies, along with Faculty of Agrisciences leadership, accepted all recommendations from the investigation.
Key reforms include mandatory ethics training for all academic and research staff, students, and postdoctoral fellows in animal experimentation. The university has also launched new modules on Responsible Conduct of Research, which will be mandatory for all research staff and students conducting animal trials.
Additionally, principal investigators must now ensure all project participants receive copies of signed ethics applications and relevant correspondence. Veterinary surgeons must also be given adequate notice to provide input before ethics applications are submitted.
The university stated that its Experimental Farms undergo rigorous oversight, with six-monthly inspections by the Research Ethics Committee, including representatives from the NSPCA. Weekly, and often daily, inspections are conducted by the Department of Agrisciences’ veterinarian.
“Stellenbosch University is committed to the highest levels of research integrity and responsible research conduct,” the institution said in a statement, adding that it subscribes to internationally accepted norms and standards regarding animal care and use.
