Animal Testing Reaches a 30-Year High

[barbara]

This article claims they are working to reduce the number of animals used and yet animal testing is at a 30 year high. As most research with stem cells shows, unless you are a rodent, there are few options for most patients to participate in clinical research.


Laboratory Equipment
July 11, 2012

Annual statistics on the use of animals in scientific research in Great Britain have been published by the Home Office. The "statistics of scientific procedures on living animals 2011," compiled from returns provided by 100 percent of project license holders, shows just over 3.79 million scientific procedures were started in Great Britain in 2011, increasing 2 percent (+68,100) since last year. Breeding of genetically modified animals and harmful mutants, mainly mice, remained stable accounting for 1.62 million of procedures. Further statistical highlights can be found below in the notes to editors.

The animals in science regulation unit (ASRU) have also published their annual report for 2011. The report provides a collective account of the activities of the Home Office regulation of animal testing.

Home Office minister Lynne Featherstone says, "The report shows the important work being done in this country to regulate animal procedures and to ensure the UK’s high standards of animal protection are upheld. While we recognize the need to use animals in order to help develop potentially life-saving drugs and treatments, we are also working to reduce the use of animals in research. As part of this ongoing work, we will continue to promote measures that will ‘replace, reduce and refine’ the use of animals in scientific testing."

The animals scientific procedures act 1986 regulates the use of animals in scientific experiments and ensures their use is limited to only where there is a clear potential benefit to either people, animals or the environment; and when there is no means of obtaining these benefits without animal use, or at a lesser animal welfare cost.

All scientists and researchers undertaking animal research in the UK are required to take into account the "3Rs" (measures to replace, reduce and refine animal use) when devising their programs of research proposals. When work is licensed, all reasonable steps must be taken to minimize the numbers of animals used and any suffering likely to be caused.

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