Research using remains, tissue or bodily fluids

This guideline outlines when researchers need to submit an ethics application when using human biological materials or when using animal tissue or fluids. 

Research using human tissue or bodily fluids

An ethics application is to be completed if a research project involves the use of human biological materials. Human biological materials include tissues, organs, blood, plasma, skin, serum, DNA, RNA, proteins, cells, hair, nail clippings, urine, saliva, and other body fluids (). Research with skeletal remains may require an ethics application. Research projects that involve secondary use of human biological materials, such as tissues from a biobank, also require review. Interaction with a living human participant is not a review requirement. Limited exemptions to ethics review exist for some human cell line research. 

If there is no direct involvement with the human donor, a "use of tissue or bodily fluids for research purposes" type ethics application may be submitted. If the research study involves collection of biological materials or obtaining consent for the secondary use of existing materials, a "standard application" should be submitted. 

Research using animal tissue or fluids

Use of animal tissue or fluids does not require a research or teaching/training application prior to using the animal fluid or tissue. An ethics application is not required when work involves a which includes:

  • use of eggs, embryos, fetuses, and larvae (except fish and amphibian larvae that have reached a stage where survival can reasonably be expected through independent feeding),
  • cadavers, fluids, or tissue from animals not killed specifically for research or teaching, including tissue or fluids from established industry or commercial practices, and
  • animal tissue or fluids shared from other À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ approved research or teaching/training protocols

When to submit an Animal Use Protocol

Any use of live animals or cephalopod species that involves direct manipulation requires an ethics application to be submitted and reviewed by the Animal Care Committee (ACC). This includes the use of animals for breeding, research, teaching/training purposes, and testing.

Direct manipulation of an animal can involve handling or moving an animal to a different location than their home environment/cage for the specific purpose of research or teaching/training.

Lab safety practices

Good lab safety practices are important when working with any tissue, fluid, remains, or cadaver.

Students working with animal remains or cadavers are encouraged to take Basic field and tissue course theory (AR0009).

Researchers working with human biological materials must supply a Human Blood Bodily Fluid and Tissues Worksheet as part of their ethics application.

Consult the Safety Office for Laboratory Safety procedures before planning any work using fluids, tissues, or cadavers. 

Frequently asked questions

Question: I would like to use blood or urine samples from live animals for the primary purpose of research or teaching. Do I need to submit an ethics application? 

Response: Yes. For example, obtaining a blood sample directly from a live animal or a urine sample (even through free catch purposes) would require an ethics application as it is for the purpose of research and there is a direct manipulation of the live animal. The study protocol must also have undergone a pedagogical or scientific merit review prior to being reviewed by the Animal Care Committee (ACC). 

Question: I want to use fish and amphibian embryos. When do I submit an ethics application? 

Response: For fish and amphibian embryos, an ethics application must be submitted when the animals are at a development state; which means when they are capable of independent feeding.

Question: I wish to only use the animals after they have been euthanized. Do I still need an ethics application? 

Response: If the animals are euthanized specifically for research or teaching purposes--such as to collect data at a certain age or timepoint--or if their care or handling is altered to support the research, an ethics application must be submitted. This is also applicable to a supplier who may be euthanizing the animal for a study or teaching activity. An ethics application is required as the animals are being euthanized specifically for research or teaching purposes.

If the animals are euthanized for reasons unrelated to your research or teaching project, you do not need an ethics application. This includes using animals euthanized through standard commercial methods (e.g., specimens collected from animals processed at an abattoir), as well as tissues obtained from other approved protocols (including breeding protocols), provided the original study timeline was not extended. 

Question: My research involves the purchase and use of animal cell lines. Do I need to prepare an ethics application? 

Response: No. The research does not involve the use of live animals. 

Contact us

For research with human remains, tissue or bodily fluid, contact Heather Root, ext. 41469. For research with animals or animal tissue, contact Jennifer Frayne, ext. 45003. 

Updated June 2025