Animals in medical research

Animals are only used in research when there is no alternative.

Animals are used in research to:

• Advance scientific understanding
• Develop solutions to medical problems
• Protect the safety of people, animals and the environment

The biology of humans and other animals, particularly mammals, is remarkably similar. Many animals suffer the same diseases as humans, so can be used to study those diseases. Sometimes, researchers use an ‘animal model’ which mimics the human disease.

The use of animals in research is required to follow the 3Rs:

Replacement: replace animals with alternatives

Refinement: refine experiments to improve animal welfare

Reduction: reduce the numbers of animals used.

Medical research involving animals has led to many life-saving discoveries, including the development of pacemakers, artificial heart valves and advances in heart transplant surgery.

Currently, there is a legal requirement to test all new medicines in animals, to show that they are safe and effective, before they can be tested in people. Animal research played a part in the development of statins and medicines to treat heart attack, heart failure and high blood pressure.

It is vital that we do everything possible to protect animal welfare and the UK has some of the highest standards of laboratory animal welfare in the world.

Research involving animals is governed by strict laws which ensure that animal research is only done when there is no suitable non-animal alternative. Researchers are legally required to use the smallest number of animals and do everything they can to minimise suffering.

All animal research must be approved by the Home Office and three licences are needed:

• Personal licences for the researchers
• Project licence for the research project
• Establishment licence for the place where the research is done.

Researchers must have the necessary training, skills and experience before a personal licence is granted.

Animal research must be approved by an ethics committee which includes members of the public. They must agree that the work is necessary, the animals will be cared for properly and the potential benefits outweigh any suffering to the animals.

Animals used in research are cared for by trained animal technicians and vets who are responsible for their welfare. Any discomfort or suffering must be kept to a minimum by the appropriate use of anaesthetics or painkillers.

There are strict rules about the conditions that animals are kept in, to make sure their needs are met and distress is minimised. For example, animals must have the right sized housing to avoid over-crowding and have access to adequate food and water.

When the research is taking place, there are regular checks by government inspectors to ensure that high welfare standards are maintained.

Funding animal research is not something we take lightly. We expect our researchers to prioritise animal welfare and follow the principles of the 3Rs.

When researchers apply for a grant which involves animals, they must provide additional information and a detailed justification, including:

• Why animals are necessary and whether there any other possible approaches.
• What will be done to minimise pain, suffering and distress.
• The species of animal to be used and why it is appropriate.
• The number of animals to be used with a statistical justification.
• An explanation of how the principles of the ‘3Rs’ have been addressed.
• Evidence that the appropriate licences have been granted by the Home Office.

Then, when applications are assessed by our expert reviewers, we ask them whether the use of animals is appropriate and justified, giving consideration to the 3Rs.

As a member of the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC), Heart Research UK supports the principle of using animals in research when it is necessary to advance understanding and to develop better treatments, although only where there is no alternative.

All AMRC member charities support this principle, as outlined in this AMRC position statement.

• Animal research is governed by the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.
• Legislation protects all vertebrate animals, including mammals, fish, and birds. It also protects cephalopods, such as octopus, squid and cuttlefish.
• All scientific procedures carried out on protected animals must be recorded and statistics are published annually by the Home Office.
• Over 96% of scientific procedures are carried out on mice, rats, fish and birds, whereas 0.2% of procedures are carried out on cats, dogs and monkeys.
• Animal testing of cosmetic products and their ingredients was banned in 1998 because non-animal methods were developed to test the safety of cosmetics.
• Testing of household products on animals was banned in 2015.
• The use of great apes (orangutans, bonobos, gorillas and chimpanzees) for research is banned and they have not been used for over 20 years.

• AMRC Why do medical research charities fund animal research?
• Understanding Animal Research
• National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research
• Responsibility in the use of animals in bioscience research: Expectations of the major research council and charitable funding bodies
• Government guidance on animal testing and research
• Home Office Animals in science statistics