Animals in research - policy and news

Mice - black or white?

Thu, 24 May 2012 08:54:18 +0100

The International Knockout Mouse Consortium have developed a mouse that will reduce the amount of breeding necessary when studying knockout mice.

UK funding bodies urge Universities to improve the design and reporting of animal research

Tue, 22 May 2012 11:54:50 +0100

The major funding bodies have written an open letter to the Universities urging them to adopt best practice in animal research

Government response to EU directive

Fri, 18 May 2012 09:05:44 +0100

The Government has responded to the public consultation on the options for transposition of Directive 2010/63/EU.

Government retains UK's strict animal testing regime

Fri, 18 May 2012 09:04:20 +0100

The UK says it will retain stricter animal testing standards than required by a new European Union Directive.

Home Office set to reduce red tape

Fri, 18 May 2012 09:01:46 +0100

The UK Bioscience Sector Coalition have welcomed the Home Office announcement of the UK Government's commitment to maintaining the UK's high standards of animal welfare, while cutting needless red tape.

Resolving the ortholog conjecture

Fri, 18 May 2012 09:09:13 +0100

Researchers at the SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics and the EMBL-European Bioinformatics Institute have confirmed the long-held conjecture that studying the genes we share with other animals is a viable means of extrapolating information about human biology.

In defence of the animal model

Thu, 17 May 2012 09:26:28 +0100

Richard Baldarelli in a letter to Nature defends the use of animals

Dr Hadwen Trust pledges £0.7m for research

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 08:27:48 +0100

The Dr Hadwen Trust (DHT) has announced grants totalling over £720k to fund innovative and humane research into bipolar disorder, cardiovascular disease, cystic fibrosis, motor-neuron disease, rabies and schizophrenia.

Reducing animals in research

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 09:03:01 +0100

Dr Anna Williams, at the MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, writes about her new method to reduce the number of animals needed by 95%..

Space mice

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 09:45:25 +0100

A group of mice have returned to Earth after a record-breaking 91-day mission.

Reconciling science and animal welfare

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 08:57:22 +0100

Deputy Head of the RSPCA Research Animals Department, outlines the complex ethical considerations involved in animal experimentation.

Animal models: not close enough?

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 08:55:28 +0100

Despite some outstanding drug-development successes, the mouse version of multiple sclerosis has been worryingly unreliable at screening human treatments.

RSPCA remain concerned about new UK law on lab animal welfare

Mon, 2 Apr 2012 11:28:56 +0100

RSPCA scientists are 'seriously worried' after details of a new law on animal experiments that could affect millions of UK laboratory animals was debated in parliament this week.

Speaking out on animal research

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 13:22:15 +0100

Fiona Fox writes about the transport of animals for research and the need for scientists to speak out.

US primate centre faces scrutiny

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 08:54:07 +0100

A major US primate research centre supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is under investigation by government regulators for an incident last year in which the decomposing bodies of three macaques were found trapped in a metal chute connecting two outdoor cages.

A day in the life of an animal technologist

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 09:11:46 +0000

Understanding Animal Research has made a film that puts the record straight about the way animals involved in research are cared for.

Animal transport campaign continues

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 08:52:05 +0000

Nature editorial says as the campaign against animal research intensifies, so must the response.

Activists ground primate flights(untitled)

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 08:53:32 +0000

Supply of research monkeys to Western labs under threat as airlines react to animal-rights campaign.

Mice guide human drug trial

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 13:53:12 +0000

Description of mouse work at Dana Farber Institute.

Toxicity tests sans animals

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 08:34:59 +0000

Cosmetics firm L’Oreal is working with EPA to validate a high-througput screening system.

Fight back over animal transport

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 09:37:07 +0000

A growing blockade of lab animal imports must be resisted before it hinders work on new medical treatments says Robin Lovell-Badge, writing in New Scientist.

Animal transport - a tipping point?

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 10:18:07 +0000

UAR comments

Dr Hadwen Trust statement on animal transport

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 10:19:52 +0000

The Dr Hadwen Trust has refuted that people’s health and the future of medical research will be put at risk as viable alternatives to animal experimentation already exist and have done for decades.

BUAV chief on the anti-transport campaign

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 10:14:25 +0000

We'll carry on making it hard for laboratories to obtain animals, says Michelle Thew from BUAV.

Problems transporting animals

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 09:40:10 +0000

Leading scientists are warning pressure from animal rights activists is reducing the number of animals being brought into Britain for research.

Mice People: Cultures of Science

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 11:20:29 +0000

Gail Davies talks about laboratory mice, and the scientists who study them.

Reduced need for clinical animal testing?

Fri, 9 Mar 2012 09:11:35 +0000

New research could significantly reduce the need for clinical animal testing.

Chimp research policy: think global

Fri, 9 Mar 2012 08:47:20 +0000

Letter in Science magazine says that the approach chimpanzees in research should be global, not local.

What you need to know about animal research

Mon, 5 Mar 2012 09:23:21 +0000

Article in Drug Discovery Today about animals in research.

3Rs is now mainstream

Fri, 2 Mar 2012 16:50:35 +0000

Vicky Robinson, NC3Rs Chief Executive, said that we have reached a tipping point where the 3Rs are no longer a marginal activity but are now supported by some of the UKs best scientists and leading organisations.

Award to develop tiny wireless recorders

Fri, 2 Mar 2012 09:57:48 +0000

Over the next three years, experts in low power electronics for monitoring human patients are going to use their skills to benefit the mice used in laboratory tests of psychiatric diseases.

Animal-free tox testing

Fri, 2 Mar 2012 09:32:39 +0000

Driven both by legislative mandate and scientific need, a new suite of in vitro and cell culture-based animal-free methods are gaining a foothold in toxicology labs.

Science website updated

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 09:33:54 +0000

The website AnimalResearch.info has been given a bit of sprucing up!

NC3Rs 2011 Annual Report

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 09:32:55 +0000

The NC3Rs has published its 2011 Annual Report.

A family perspective on the animal research debate

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 09:10:23 +0000

Pitting human health against animal welfare in the context of Usher Syndrome.

The 3Rs: what is progress?

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 09:09:27 +0000

Advances in science will present some people with new dilemmas. What if new research methods mean more primate-based studies but using fewer animals overall?

Response to international principles for animal research

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 10:18:32 +0000

A response to the invitation to review and comment on the revised 2011 international guiding principles.

RSPCA pledges

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 10:16:54 +0000

RSPCA pledges to reduce the number of animals in the UK who undergo severe suffering when used in experiments.

Questionable use of chimpanzees

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 09:54:32 +0000

Correspondence in Nature criticises the practice of foreign drug companies using US chimpanzee research centres.

Case studies showcase animal research

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 14:26:34 +0000

Understanding Animal Research have published a new set of case studies showcasing eight pieces of recent research that have provided scientific insights and medical or veterinary benefits.

NC3Rs e-newsletter - Issue 39

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 08:28:20 +0000

Includes 2011 studentship awards, marmoset care website, upcoming deadlines and events.

NC3Rs funds work to replace cancer tests

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 08:27:12 +0000

Scientists have been awarded nearly £1 million to develop new test methods that should substantially reduce the numbers of animals used for testing chemicals which may cause cancer.

NC3Rs awards made

Fri, 6 Jan 2012 09:12:45 +0000

Fifteen PhD studentships have been awarded to leading research groups for projects covering all of the 3Rs.

Chimp research under scrutiny

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 09:01:28 +0000

A landmark report published by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) last week has triggered the US government to reconsider what, if any, chimpanzee research should receive funding.

Statement by Francis Collins on chimpanzees

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 09:27:44 +0000

Statement by NIH Director Dr. Francis Collins on the Institute of Medicine report addressing the scientific need for the use of chimpanzees in research.

Committee recommends NIH continue chimpanzee research

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 08:44:24 +0000

The U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) should continue funding biomedical and behavioral research with chimpanzees, but with new stipulations.

Evidence-based policy

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 08:56:22 +0000

The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Home Department, Lynne Featherstone, advanced an animal research policy based on evidence in a Commons debate on Wednesday 7 December.

Overlooking the importance of animal research

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 09:32:46 +0000

Article in the UK politics section of the Huffington Post comments on the recent ruling partly in favour of the BUAV freedom of information request to Newcastle University about their research with primates.

Editorial on chimp breeding

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 08:58:05 +0000

Editorial in Nature says that by failing to explain why a moratorium on breeding chimpanzees seems not to have been enforced, the US National Institutes of Health risks a further loss of public support for chimp research.

Are we too dependent on model organisms?

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 08:57:40 +0000

A series of articles from Slate's Daniel Engber looks at the use of mice and rats as model organisms, and asks whether researchers are too dependent on them.

Lab bred chimps despite ban

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 08:59:55 +0000

The largest and most high-profile chimpanzee research centre in the United States has acknowledged to Nature that 137 infant chimpanzees have been born to federally owned animals under its care since 2000, despite a government moratorium on such births.

FOI decision in BUAV vs Newcastle Univ case

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 08:34:31 +0000

A Freedom of Information ruling, about releasing information on primate research, found partly in favour of BUAV and partly for Newcastle University.

US lab accused of illegal breeding

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 08:38:30 +0000

The largest primate research facility in the United States has been accused of breeding chimpanzees in violation of government rules, and possibly the law.

Retired Lab Chimps

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 08:36:35 +0000

Chimp Haven, in the USA, is now home to more than 100 chimpanzees, many of them previously used in medical research.

Australian guidelines under review.

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 09:28:48 +0000

The national guidelines for scientific experiments involving animals in Australia are being reviewed.

NC3Rs e-newsletter - Issue 38

Mon, 7 Nov 2011 09:54:33 +0000

Including NC3Rs contacts, Je-S, LinkedIn, David Sainsbury's Fellowships, 3Rs Prize, Primate Welfare Meeting, NC3Rs/ASAB/SEB Symposium

NC3Rs grants move to RCUK SSC

Fri, 4 Nov 2011 11:49:51 +0000

From 2012, all grant applications must be submitted via Je-S and both new applications and existing grants will be managed via the Research Councils' Shared Services Centre.

Peaceful protests against animal testing are on the rise

Fri, 4 Nov 2011 10:02:11 +0000

Data from the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) shows that the number of peaceful protests against institutions that perform research on animals is increasing.

Lords affirm support for Animal Research

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 11:21:04 +0100

Several peers confirmed their belief in the need for animal research in biomedical research, during a debate in the House of Lords on Monday (24 October 2011).

Of mice and medicine: In defence of animal experiments

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 11:44:33 +0100

Saturday's Independent has an article supporting animal experiments. It takes examples from work at UCL and Kings.

Early Day Motion on animals in research

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 08:25:51 +0100

MPs from all political parties have signed an Early Day Motion calling for the UK to maintain its protection of animals used in research, despite the potential for a slackening under a forthcoming European directive.

Government support for animal research

Wed, 5 Oct 2011 12:34:17 +0100

In the House of Lords Lord Willis asked the government about the use of animals in health-related research. In response, the government outlined their ongoing support for well-regulated research using animals where necessary to allow us to continue doing excellent health research in the UK.

Better reporting of animal tests needed

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 09:04:59 +0100

Poor reporting of animal experiments can limit their value in providing robust evidence to inform future studies and the wider knowledge base.

Why animal research needs to improve

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 08:39:47 +0100

Many of the studies that use animals to model human diseases are too small and too prone to bias to be trusted, says Malcolm Macleod writing in Nature.

German Ethics Council weighs in on human-animal chimeras

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 11:24:44 +0100

The German Ethics Council has issued recommendations on human-animal chimeras. Mice carrying human genes are ethically acceptable, however German scientist want to create transgenic monkeys with human genes should seek permission from a national ethics panel.

NC3Rs newsletter 37

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 09:17:29 +0100

NC3Rs e-newsletter - Issue 37 Including CRACK IT website and application process, launch of Research Review 2011, call for applications for project and pilot study grants, David Sainsbury Fellowship Scheme application form and guidance.

NC3Rs research review 2011

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 11:56:00 +0100

The NC3Rs has published the first review of its research portfolio

Cracking the challenge - reducing our reliance on animal research

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 11:53:04 +0100

The National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs) has launched a new funding scheme, the CRACK IT Challenges.

Crack-IT launches

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 11:47:30 +0100

CRACK-IT is a new initiative comprising: a web-based research engine for problem solving and idea sharing between small companies, academic researchers and industry; and a competition to identify new technologies.

Replacing animals with nerves on a chip

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 11:03:44 +0100

Scientists have developed a way of guiding nerve cells to set up networks that mimic the ones found in the brain. This provides a new tool to help study neurological diseases and could reduce the number of animals needed in such research.

Nuffield Council calls for more 3Rs promotion

Wed, 7 Sep 2011 10:50:59 +0100

In its response to the Home Office consultation on options for the transposition of European Directive 2010/63/EU on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes, the Council has called for the 3Rs (Refinement, Reduction and Replacement) to be further promoted in UK research.

Virtual rats

Fri, 12 Aug 2011 09:19:41 +0100

Researchers hope a new "virtual rat" model will allow them to simulate, among other things, the animal's various biological systems.

Chimpanzee research on trial at IOM

Fri, 12 Aug 2011 09:16:32 +0100

Researchers presented their best case for the use of chimpanzees in research when the Institute of Medicine's (IOM) Committee on the Use of Chimpanzees in Biomedical and Behavioral Research met.

On the care and use of US lab animals

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 08:45:58 +0100

Some recommendations in the latest Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals have stirred up controversy in the research community.

Cell-based alternative to animal testing

Mon, 8 Aug 2011 09:10:02 +0100

Research published in BMC Genomics demonstrates that the response of laboratory grown human cells can now be used to classify chemicals as sensitizing, or non-sensitizing, and can even predict the strength of allergic response, so providing an alternative to animal testing.

Can scientists be more open about animal research?

Thu, 4 Aug 2011 17:46:16 +0100

Mark Henderson reviews the last 10 years of campaigning against animal research in the UK.

Primate testing - debate

Mon, 1 Aug 2011 08:56:17 +0100

Dr Sebastien Farnaud of the Dr Hadwen Trust and Prof Roger Lemon of UCL debate the ethics and uses of tests on monkeys

NC3Rs Newsletter issue 36

Fri, 29 Jul 2011 12:28:07 +0100

NC3Rs e-newsletter - Issue 36: Including £2.3M awarded for 3Rs research, Animal welfare: measures and assessment, NC3Rs CRACK-IT and Research Funding Highlights launch, strategic award on human cell-based carcinogenicity assays.

UAR response to primate report

Fri, 29 Jul 2011 12:25:27 +0100

Understanding Animal Research comments on the primate report.

RSPCA reaction to primate report

Fri, 29 Jul 2011 12:24:22 +0100

The RSPCA have issued a statement in response to a review of the use of monkeys in UK medical research.

Coalition pledge on household product testing

Fri, 29 Jul 2011 12:26:24 +0100

The pledge by the coalition government to end household product testing on animals has been welcomed by the UK research community.

Primate research gets provisional thumbs-up

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 09:17:34 +0100

Primate research ought to continue in the UK because of its importance to human health and basic science, says a new report commissioned by MRC, Wellcome and BBSRC.

MRC response to primate review

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 09:17:34 +0100

The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), Medical Research Council (MRC) and Wellcome Trust have responded to the independent Review of Research Using Non-Human Primates led by Professor Sir Patrick Bateson FRS.

Nature editorial on human animal chimeras

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 09:17:33 +0100

Regulators must look past visceral disgust about human–animal hybrids. Strict but sensible rules are needed for research on hybrid embryos and chimaeric animals that could produce therapies.

Regulate research at the animal-human interface

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 09:17:32 +0100

The time is right, says Martin Bobrow, to improve the governance of research involving animals that contain human genetic or cellular material.

Animals containing human material

Fri, 22 Jul 2011 11:35:01 +0100

A new report by the Academy of Medical Sciences makes recommendations.

The Collaborative Cross project

Fri, 22 Jul 2011 11:34:08 +0100

Laboratory mice are so inbred they have portions of genome with no variety at all. To discover much more about what genes do, new wild strains are being introduced into the laboratory.

Hastings work on ethics of medical research with animals

Tue, 19 Jul 2011 09:27:30 +0100

The Esther A. and Joseph Klingenstein Fund awarded The Hastings Center a $159,000 grant to explore the ethical, scientific, and legal issues on using animals in medical research and on the prospects for using alternatives to animal models.

Committing to the three Rs

Tue, 19 Jul 2011 09:25:16 +0100

The UK Home Office this morning agreed arrangements to deliver two Coalition commitments relating to the use of animals in scientific research: to end the testing of household products on animals; and to work to further reduce the use of animals in scientific research.

New Virus Jumps From Monkeys to Lab Worker

Mon, 18 Jul 2011 08:53:34 +0100

A new report confirms that the outbreak of pneumonia at California National Primate Research Center at Davis was the first known case of an adenovirus jumping from monkeys to humans.

Inside the minds of mice and men

Mon, 18 Jul 2011 08:58:56 +0100

Monya Baker's article in Nature provides many examples of animal models for human conditions and gives a clear appraisal of their value.

UK animal procedures up by 3% in 2010

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 11:45:47 +0100

Understanding Animal Research analyses the statistics.

Home Office statistics on scientific procedures on animals in 2010 issued

Wed, 13 Jul 2011 14:16:57 +0100

The annual statistics relating to scientific procedures performed on living animals under the provisions of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 are released today.

Animals and suffering

Wed, 6 Jul 2011 09:02:56 +0100

Richard Dawkins makes a thoughtful case for not assuming there is any relationship between feeling pain and the complexity of an organisms nervous system

Imaging animals for better research

Thu, 30 Jun 2011 09:16:46 +0100

Modern techniques can cut the number of animals used and improve data quality.

Millions owe their lives to animal research

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 09:24:27 +0100

Leading research organisations have responded to misleading claims made by an antivivisection group in its recent letter to the Lancet.

Call to curb lab tests on dogs

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 09:06:00 +0100

Every year, tens of thousands of dogs are subjects in drug-toxicity studies in Europe and the United States, even though many scientists think that they are poor predictors of drug effects in humans.

NC3Rs e-newsletter - Issue 35

Mon, 27 Jun 2011 09:30:20 +0100

Including David Sainsbury Fellowship Scheme, strategic award on human cell-based carcinogenicity assays, CRACK-IT® Challenges and Roadshows, NC3Rs on Facebook.

Launch of the David Sainsbury Fellowship Scheme

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 09:49:05 +0100

The NC3Rs has announced a fellowship scheme to support exceptional early career scientists in the discovery of new ways of replacing, reducing and refining the use of animals in scientific research (the 3Rs)

Why do charities fund animal research?

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 09:47:36 +0100

The animal rights group Animal Aid has launched a campaign against medical research charities who fund animal research.

Animal rights group declares war on leading health charities

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 14:31:30 +0100

Research into cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer's could be set back if the public boycott 4 leading medical research charites as urged by Animal Aid.

US Research Committee may be stacked against chimps

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 11:35:55 +0100

The American Humane Society remains concerned that a key research review panel is still biased towards medical research on chimps, despite 3 vocal supporters standing down.

Knockout resource for mouse genetics

Thu, 16 Jun 2011 11:50:38 +0100

An international consortium of researchers has knocked out almost 40 per cent of the genes in the mouse genome in embryonic stem cells. Once completed, the resulting cell bank will be an essential resource to power studies of gene activity in models of human disease

Animal rights: Chimpanzee research on trial

Thu, 16 Jun 2011 11:48:28 +0100

Nature article on chimpanzee research in USA.

US primate research centre evacuated

Thu, 16 Jun 2011 11:43:37 +0100

A massive explosion at nearby chemical plant forced the evacuation of New Iberia Research Center. Staff executed their emergency preparedness plan to ensure their animals received care. No animals or people have been hurt in the incident

Chair of US chimp research committee withdraws

Wed, 15 Jun 2011 08:37:01 +0100

John Stobo, chair of an Institute of Medicine (IOM) committee that is studying whether the United States should continue to fund chimpanzee research has withdrawn from the committee.

Home Office launches EU directive consultation

Tue, 14 Jun 2011 08:51:18 +0100

The Home Office are inviting comments on the options for transposing the European directive on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes.

UAR welcomes new regulations

Tue, 14 Jun 2011 08:49:52 +0100

Understanding Animal Research says that new animal research regulations from Europe will enhance the welfare of animals, facilitate modern science and cut through excessive red tape.

RSPCA campaigns on EU directive implementation

Tue, 14 Jun 2011 08:48:24 +0100

The RSPCA are calling on the public to help stop the government from taking a step back for animal welfare by weakening controls on animal experiments.

NC3Rs roadshows

Fri, 10 Jun 2011 09:15:29 +0100

NC3Rs is holding roadshows to highlight their diverse range of funding schemes and collaborative activities.

Macaques in Mauritius

Fri, 10 Jun 2011 09:14:14 +0100

Breeding and rearing macaques for biomedical research is an important business in Mauritius. Dr Bella Williams, UAR's Communication and Public Engagement Manager, is currently in Mauritius meeting with government, business and academic representatives.

BBC interviews UAR about beagle breeding plans

Wed, 8 Jun 2011 08:41:44 +0100

Understanding Animal Research have provided interviews to BBC Look North; Radio Humberside and the local press about the beagle breeding company B&K Universal's plans for modernisation.

Safer Medicines Trust criticise animal testing

Fri, 3 Jun 2011 14:30:24 +0100

The Safer Medicines Trust have published an open letter to UK Prime Minister David Cameron and Health Secretary Andrew Lansley on safety of medicines. The letter appears in The Lancet.

NC3Rs/Society of Biology Symposium

Wed, 11 May 2011 09:22:49 +0100

The NC3Rs, in partnership with the Society of Biology Animal Science Group, is hosting a symposium in central London on 22 June 2011 to showcase scientific advances.

Members named to panel to evaluate US chimpanzee research

Mon, 9 May 2011 09:02:15 +0100

The membership of an Institute of Medicine committee recently asked to pronounce on the use of chimpanzees in research.

NC3Rs e-newsletter - Issue 34

Wed, 4 May 2011 09:47:50 +0100

Includes NC3Rs/Society of Biology Symposium, Charles River/NC3Rs Toxicology Workshop, NC3Rs Primate Welfare Meeting, NC3Rs Studentship Scheme and NC3Rs Roadshows

NC3Rs/Society of Biology Symposium

Fri, 15 Apr 2011 11:13:44 +0100

Bookings are now open for this symposium which takes place in London on 22 June 2011.

UK public opinion largely positive

Thu, 14 Apr 2011 09:18:47 +0100

Recent research on public attitudes to animal experimentation has been published on the Ipsos MORI website.

Fish for science

Thu, 7 Apr 2011 10:10:48 +0100

Understanding Animals in Research have awarded their first Wednesday award to The MRC Centre for Developmental and Biomedical Genetics for their Fish for Science website.

The teenager who took a stand

Fri, 1 Apr 2011 09:48:40 +0100

Laurie Pycroft, who founded Pro-Test five years ago, was profiled in The Independent Education section.

Animal law

Fri, 1 Apr 2011 09:15:01 +0100

News focus in Science magazine asks "Will growing interest in how the legal system deals with animals ultimately lead to changes for researchers?"

Animal legal rights

Fri, 1 Apr 2011 09:15:58 +0100

Lawyer and legal scholar Steven Wise is preparing to file lawsuits on behalf of intelligent animals such as chimpanzees.

Animal rights activists target students

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 12:56:11 +0100

Animal rights activists in the USA have targeted an undergraduate student.

Standing up for science

Fri, 25 Mar 2011 08:34:45 +0000

Professor Anthony Garro of UMass Dartmouth has criticised PETA.

NC3Rs newsletter 33

Fri, 25 Mar 2011 08:19:17 +0000

Includes NC3Rs Research Portfolio, ARRIVE guidelines adopted by Nature, 8th World Congress on Alternatives

NC3Rs research portfolio

Fri, 25 Mar 2011 08:15:33 +0000

NC3Rs research portfolio contains information on their funded research across the whole spectrum of disciplines and therapeutic areas, from neurodegenerative disease to oncology to vaccine efficacy testing.

Animal research: letters in Nature

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 09:02:59 +0000

Three itmes of correspondence in Nature deal with animal research

Animal research and obesity

Fri, 11 Mar 2011 09:06:18 +0000

The Sunday New York Times ran a cover story on efforts to combat the obesity epidemic and the role of animal research in this battle. Those opposed to animal studies reacted.

Use of animals in research: readers' responses

Tue, 8 Mar 2011 08:54:39 +0000

Third part of series in Lab News about the use of animals in research.

Animal group petitions NIH to retire 14 more research chimps

Thu, 3 Mar 2011 08:53:35 +0000

Animal rights group Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine have filed a petition asking NIH director Francis Collins to return 14 chimps, aged 18 to 30, to the Alamogordo facility.

European medical science group states position on new law

Tue, 1 Mar 2011 09:13:28 +0000

The medical science group within the European Science Forum (ESF-EMRC) has produced a position paper on the new Directive on the Protection of Animals used for Scientific Procedures.

Animals in research - Nature special

Fri, 25 Feb 2011 08:11:07 +0000

Nature magazine explores the effects of anti-animal-research activism on the scientific community. Includes poll results - 25% say that they or someone they know has been affected by animal-rights activism.

Animal testing: Why the 3R’s must prevail

Mon, 7 Feb 2011 09:55:19 +0000

The Dr Hadwen Trust suggest that it is not just ethical concerns that should trouble us about the use of animals in research.
Labnews, Feb 2011

Minutes of APC meetings

Wed, 2 Feb 2011 09:28:51 +0000

Minutes for the APC meetings held in September and October 2010 have been published

NC3Rs 2010 annual report published

Wed, 2 Feb 2011 09:26:30 +0000

The report highlights the achievements of the NC3Rs over the past 12 months, including updates on the latest funded research and the progress made in the Centre-led programmes, working with the academic sector and chemicals, consumer products and pharmaceutical industries.

PACE merges with the BUAV

Wed, 2 Feb 2011 09:27:34 +0000

PACE (People against chimpanzee experiments) has merged with BUAV.

Moral questions about animal experiments

Tue, 1 Feb 2011 09:34:32 +0000

Ask a Biologist explains what researchers feel about animal experiments

Should airlines transport lab animals?

Mon, 31 Jan 2011 09:23:51 +0000

Anti-vivisectionists this week resurrected their campaign against the transportation of lab animals in passenger aircraft, denouncing Air Canada for transporting 48 lab monkeys to Toronto from China.

Another prize for animal welfare

Mon, 31 Jan 2011 09:05:19 +0000

The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) has once again honoured scientists who are improving animal welfare in research.

Lab animal welfare prize awarded

Wed, 26 Jan 2011 09:04:38 +0000

A study to reduce stress and anxiety in laboratory mice was awarded the 2010 NC3Rs prize for advances in animal welfare.

RSPCA urges EU not to delay cosmetics ban

Wed, 19 Jan 2011 08:49:27 +0000

The RSPCA are urging the European Commission (EC) and European Parliament to ignore calls from parts of the cosmetics industry to delay a sales ban on cosmetics tested on laboratory animals.

New guidelines issued on the delivery and accredition of training under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986

Mon, 17 Jan 2011 13:46:37 +0000

The Home Office has issued new guidance on the roles and responsibilities of those involved in the delivery and accreditation of training under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986

Animal testing - the debate

Fri, 7 Jan 2011 09:34:49 +0000

The BUAV put forward the case for the abolition of animal testing.

US animal researchers fear cuts

Fri, 7 Jan 2011 09:33:09 +0000

Scientists who use monkeys, mice and dogs for research on human diseases fear that the US government is restructuring the massive National Institutes of Health in a way that could slash their funding.

GM rats are the new GM mice

Thu, 6 Jan 2011 09:10:00 +0000

Until now rats have trailed behind mice in terms of numbers used, but this could change thanks to recent innovations in genetic techniques on rats.

NC3Rs Newsletter 31

Wed, 5 Jan 2011 09:20:25 +0000

Includes studentship awards, rat self-administration model for abuse liability, ethics of primate use.

Chimp move is delayed

Wed, 5 Jan 2011 09:00:05 +0000

NIH has decided to delay moving a colony of aging research chimpanzees from unofficial retirement in New Mexico to an active research facility in Texas.

Europe to delay phase-out of animal testing for cosmetics

Wed, 5 Jan 2011 08:57:52 +0000

The deadline for phasing out animal tests in cosmetic testing is to be extended.

Rats are upstaging mice

Tue, 4 Jan 2011 09:31:45 +0000

Scientific advances over the last three years have now made it feasible to easily tinker with rat genes, creating the possibility of far better models of certain human diseases, and potentially shortening the time it takes to develop medications.

Animal research in Germany

Thu, 9 Dec 2010 08:47:32 +0000

Germany must better explain the scientific use of animals to remain a major biomedical force.

3Rs funding available

Wed, 8 Dec 2010 08:53:08 +0000

Applications to the 3Rs funding scheme are now invited from UK establishments. The deadline for submission is 9 February 2011.

Parliamentary question on animals in research

Tue, 7 Dec 2010 11:33:27 +0000

House of Commons written question on the use of animals in laboratory experiments.

Understanding Animal Research school speaker programme

Tue, 7 Dec 2010 09:05:51 +0000

The Understanding Animal Research school speaker programme aims to bridge the knowledge gap by arranging for volunteers with first-hand experience of animal models to speak to secondary school science classes about their work.

Basel Declaration defends animal research

Tue, 7 Dec 2010 08:59:00 +0000

More than 50 top scientists working in Germany and Switzerland have drafted and signed a declaration pledging to be more open about their research, and to engage in more public dialogue.

Alternative Testing Strategies Progress Report 2010

Fri, 3 Dec 2010 09:06:19 +0000

AXLR8, a consortium which aims to accelerate progress in developing alternatives to animals for safety testing. It has released a 300-page progress report detailing achievements in replacing and reducing animals in research and testing.

New animal facilities licensed at the Institute for Animal Health

Thu, 2 Dec 2010 09:07:55 +0000

The latest step in the redevelopment of the Institute for Animal Health's Pirbright Laboratory was the granting of operating licences for two large-animal facilities.

Report on compliance at Wickham Labs

Wed, 1 Dec 2010 08:59:06 +0000

The Home Office Inspectorate has reviewed compliance at Wickham Laboratories, a contract research laboratory designated as a scientific procedure establishment under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.

Drug and cosmetics firms back plan to cut animal testing

Tue, 30 Nov 2010 10:20:37 +0000

Major drug and cosmetics companies have backed a plan to eliminate animal testing in favour of more humane approaches.

Video: Why do we use animals in research?

Tue, 30 Nov 2010 10:07:11 +0000

In this interview with the Chief Executive of Understanding Animal Research, Dr Simon Festing, he responds to questions such as: why is their so much secrecy in animal research? and Can't we do without animals in medical research?

New European law marks dawn of a new era

Tue, 30 Nov 2010 10:06:21 +0000

The new European Directive 2010/63/EU on animal experimentation has been finalised. It replaces the old 1986 Directive EU 86/609. It came into force across the EU earlier this month, allowing Member States two years to transpose it into their national systems of legislation, a process which has already started in the UK.

Activist group claims to send AIDS-tainted razors to animal researcher

Fri, 26 Nov 2010 09:05:21 +0000

The FBI and University of California at Los Angeles police are investigating a new round of threats from anti-animal research activists who claimed to have sent AIDS-tainted razor blades and a threatening message to a research professor.

Obesity epidemic in lab animals?

Wed, 24 Nov 2010 09:26:48 +0000

A statistical analysis of more than 20,000 animals suggests that the obesity epidemic is spreading to family pets, wild animals living in close proximity to humans, and animals housed in research centres.

Primate research

Mon, 8 Nov 2010 09:39:30 +0000

Trade in primates continues because the ban does not include the offspring of wild-caught parents, it is claimed.

Video about animal research in UK

Wed, 27 Oct 2010 09:33:57 +0100

A new video, How much animal research is done in the UK, is now available on the youtube channel of Understanding Animal Research.

Activists jailed

Tue, 26 Oct 2010 09:34:08 +0100

Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty activists get up to six years.

Cuts to affect Home Office inspectorate?

Mon, 25 Oct 2010 09:36:14 +0100

Cutbacks may mean that the number of inspectors charged with ensuring the welfare of the 3.5 million animals experimented on in British laboratories each year could be reduced from 22 to just 16.

Funding cuts threat to animal test alternatives

Tue, 19 Oct 2010 08:57:15 +0100

Cuts to medical funding bodies threaten research aiming to reduce number of animals used in experiments, scientists say.
The Guardian

European research animal use holds steady

Fri, 8 Oct 2010 09:48:51 +0100

The use of transgenic mice is on the rise, along with non-animal alternatives.

Relocation of colony of ageing research chimpanzees ignites a political debate in US

Tue, 28 Sep 2010 12:28:23 +0100

NIH has announce its intention to relocate 186 veteran chimps from Alamogordo Primate Facility to Southwest National Primate Research Center and use them once again for research.

EU directive on animal research becomes law

Fri, 24 Sep 2010 11:18:51 +0100

EU Directive 8869/10 on the use of animals in scientific research became law on 22nd September.

Lab shuts down after animal rights video

Fri, 17 Sep 2010 08:53:05 +0100

A private laboratory involved in animal testing has halted research and will hand over its animals, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced.

Improving handling of mice

Mon, 13 Sep 2010 08:41:02 +0100

Gentler ways of handling lab mice could keep them calm and reduce experimental variability.

News coverage of lab animals

Thu, 9 Sep 2010 15:08:23 +0100

Activist groups regularly aim for mainstream news coverage by producing sensationalized and misinformed stories about laboratory animals.

European parliament votes on animal research directive

Thu, 9 Sep 2010 09:32:44 +0100

The European Parliament agreed on the final text of the new Directive concerning the use of animals in research. Report from Understanding Animals in Research.

EU tightens rules on welfare of lab animals

Thu, 9 Sep 2010 09:28:08 +0100

The EU has agreed on new rules aimed at reducing the number of animals used in lab experiments and tightening controls over such procedures.

New EU law could threaten UK lab animal welfare

Thu, 9 Sep 2010 09:32:04 +0100

The RSPCA says that a new European law that raises standards for animals used in research and testing across many European Union (EU) countries may allow UK rules to be watered down.

Are mice relevant models for human disease?

Wed, 8 Sep 2010 08:40:12 +0100

Outcomes of the European Commission workshop 'Are mice relevant models for human disease?' held in London, UK, on 21 May 2010

New approaches to animal research in schools

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 09:12:58 +0100

This August, Understanding Animal Research invited 10 science teachers to spend three days at the National Science Learning Centre in York to to consider what resources teachers need to get to grips with animal research.

Skin tests replace animals

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 09:23:57 +0100

RSPCA welcomes news that artificial human skin can now be used to test chemicals for irritation, saving hundreds of laboratory rabbits from suffering and distress.

Knockout rats

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 09:12:01 +0100

Scientists have created a knockout rat that finally opens the model organism to the kinds of experiments that have only been possible in mice and some non-mammalian species.

Nominations for 3Rs Prize invited

Tue, 3 Aug 2010 09:17:33 +0100

The NC3Rs awards an annual prize for an original contribution to scientific and technological advances in the 3Rs in medical, biological or veterinary sciences published within the last two years.

Yale Univ statement on use of animals in research

Mon, 2 Aug 2010 09:28:35 +0100

Yale University believes the humane use of animals in research is more than justified by the benefits it yields to humankind.

Economist article on animals in research

Mon, 2 Aug 2010 09:24:33 +0100

Most people now accept the growing use of genetically modified mice.

RSPCA comment on lab animal usage report

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 10:19:06 +0100

RSPCA calls on the new government to ensure more is done to reduce the use and suffering of animals in research and testing.

NC3Rs announces 2010 funding awards

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 09:16:28 +0100

The NC3Rs have announced 13 research grant awards, as part of its annual Research Funding Scheme .

The Guardian's analysis of animal use figures

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 09:02:00 +0100

The Guardian took the key tables from the animal inspectorate report and compiled them into one dataset.

Researchers use more transgenic animals

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 08:59:51 +0100

The number of scientific procedures involving genetically modified animals has overtaken those involving "normal animals" for the first time.

Statistics on animal research and the animal scientific procedures inspectorate annual report 2009

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 08:54:53 +0100

Annual statistics on the use of animals in scientific research have been published by the Office for National Statistics today.

US animal rights 'terror' law challenged

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 09:01:40 +0100

A judge dismissed the first prosecution under the US law intended to protect researchers from violent and threatening animal-rights activists.

NC3Rs newsletter

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 11:04:33 +0100

NC3Rs e-newsletter - Issue 27: Includes new Board members invited, improving reporting of animal experiments, NC3Rs Primate Welfare Meeting.

UK Bioscience outlines principles for implementing new Directive

Tue, 6 Jul 2010 10:07:58 +0100

The UK Bioscience Sector has produced a set of principles for the implementation and transposition of the revised EU Directive concerning the use of animals in research.

New guidelines for reporting research

Tue, 6 Jul 2010 10:05:51 +0100

The National Centre for the Reduction, Refinement, and Replacement of animals in research (NC3Rs) has published a list of guidelines for scientists to follow when reporting the results of research involving animals.

Videos about the 3Rs

Thu, 1 Jul 2010 09:24:47 +0100

What R you watching? Is an online interactive educational resource, now live on the Understanding Animal Research site.

A guide for UK institutions on the new EU Directive on animal research

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 12:18:30 +0100

Understanding Animal Research has produced a guide to this new EU directive which will be adopted in the UK by summer 2012

Peter Singer criticises religious views on animal rights

Wed, 9 Jun 2010 10:00:47 +0100

Peter Singer asks how are we to promote the need for improved animal welfare when battling religious views formed centuries ago.
Guardian, 8th June 2010

The Animal Protection Party and the UK General Election

Tue, 8 Jun 2010 16:33:21 +0100

The Animal Protection Party was one of thirty five other parties which campaigned across the country for votes.

Defending mouse research

Fri, 4 Jun 2010 09:33:10 +0100

Mouse research for human diseases has grown, and researchers must defend and promote it accordingly.
Nature, vol 465, Page 526

US releases updated "Guide for the care and use of laboratory animals"

Thu, 3 Jun 2010 10:53:40 +0100

US National Research Council has release an updated edition of this publication, which recommends standards and practices for the humane care and treatment of animals in research, testing or teaching

RSPCA and LASA produce new guidelines

Wed, 2 Jun 2010 12:48:13 +0100

Ethical Review Process (ERP) bodies within animal research institutions now have the tools to "develop more efficient and effective processes". This is thanks to a new set of guidelines published by the RSPCA and LASA which outline good practice

New animal-free test for skin allergy

Thu, 27 May 2010 10:11:52 +0100

Scientists are reporting development of a fast, simple, inexpensive method for determining whether chemicals in consumer products and workplaces may cause skin allergies in people -- a method that does not involve use of animals. Their study appears in ACS' Chemical Research in Toxicology, a monthly journal.

European Commission responds to chemical testing story

Thu, 27 May 2010 09:38:41 +0100

Letter in Nature from European Commission spokesperson for Research, Innovation and Science, about story on REACH.

Primate studies still necessary in cognition research

Thu, 20 May 2010 08:29:11 +0100

If the goal of research on cognition is to understand the human brain and its many disorders, then primate studies remain essential.
Nature vol 465, Page 267

Laboratory rats and mice are not for the job

Mon, 17 May 2010 15:28:02 +0100

Laboratory rats and mice are kept under conditions that give them little opportunity for exercise but have access to as much food as they can eat.

EU Council agrees stricter rules for animal experimentation

Fri, 14 May 2010 09:14:26 +0100

The European Council of Ministers has announced agreement on the draft Directive for the Protection of Animals used for Scientific Purposes.

Animal and human faces display similar responses to suffering

Mon, 10 May 2010 09:09:20 +0100

Researchers have detected five signs indicative of pain in mice. Three are similar to human responses.

New stem cells will reduce the need for animal testing?

Tue, 4 May 2010 09:10:04 +0100

Jamie Thomson, of the University of Wisconsin, told The Times that “in-vitro trials” based on so-called induced pluripotent stem (IPS) cells would refine pharmaceutical development so that fewer animal experiments would be required.

What the political parties say about animal research

Mon, 26 Apr 2010 09:22:52 +0100

An examination of the stances of the three main political parties on animal research.

Tribunal rules in favour of UK University

Fri, 23 Apr 2010 09:17:22 +0100

The Information Tribunal has upheld a previous ruling by the Information Commissioner against the animal rights group PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) which made an FOI request from Oxford Univ.

New front in animal rights war in US

Thu, 22 Apr 2010 09:25:32 +0100

A recent legal dispute between the University of South Dakota and an animal rights group represents a new front to the battle between scientists and animal rights groups: state open records laws.

Disagreement over EU chemical safety law

Thu, 22 Apr 2010 09:09:05 +0100

Disagreement flares up over the number of animals required to implement Europe's chemical-safety law. Nature 464, 1116-1117

Finding Animals for Research

Fri, 16 Apr 2010 08:56:02 +0100

Letter from American Physiological Society about use of dogs in research. Science 16 April 2010: Vol. 328. no. 5976, p. 307

Animal experiments - some doubts

Thu, 15 Apr 2010 17:50:42 +0100

Animal experiments have an important role, but much research is biased and substandard, says Roger Highfield writing in the Daily Telegraph.

Agreement on European regulation

Fri, 9 Apr 2010 08:38:29 +0100

The European Parliament and Council representatives have reached an agreement on the final details of the revisions made to Directive 86/609/EEC on animal experimentation.

Publication bias in animal research

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 09:11:42 +0100

Unpublished negative results may explain limited translation of promising treatments to the clinic.

RSPCA and GCSE science

Mon, 29 Mar 2010 09:43:27 +0100

The RSPCA have launched a new web resource for GCSE science with a substantial chunk dedicated to exploring the ethics of animal research.

Public views sought on research using animals containing human material

Mon, 29 Mar 2010 09:17:07 +0100

The Academy of Medical Sciences has commissioned Ipsos MORI to explore public views on research using animals containing human material.

Images of animal research wanted

Fri, 26 Mar 2010 09:32:15 +0000

Understanding Animal Research has started a project to provide images and video that show what animal facilities really look like.

Retrial for animal rights activist

Fri, 26 Mar 2010 09:31:24 +0000

An animal rights activist who was jailed last year for a firebombing plot against Oxford University in 2006 faces a retrial.

Bias toward males in animal studies

Fri, 26 Mar 2010 09:08:51 +0000

Male rodents are cheaper and easier to work with than females, but scientists worry that research done on males alone won't apply across the sexes.
Science Vol. 327. no. 5973, pp. 1571 - 1572

Turkish law could cripple bioscience

Wed, 24 Mar 2010 09:25:14 +0000

Research involving transgenic organisms may be strangled by red tape.

Lord Drayson: Winning the war on animal testing

Wed, 24 Mar 2010 09:01:53 +0000

Lord Drayson, the Science Minister, talks in the Daily Telegraph about the clear shift in public understanding of the need for animal testing

BUAV Freedom of Information request

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 09:34:53 +0000

BUAV made a FOI request to a University in June 2008 for the content of certain project licences.

Public attitudes - little changed

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 09:15:08 +0000

New public opinion research shows that public attitudes to animal research haven't changed much in the UK over the last few years.

Animal rights activist using FOI laws to target universities

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 09:08:07 +0000

An animal rights activist is using freedom of information laws to force universities to reveal details of their animal experiments.

Interview with UCLA's Dario Ringach

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 09:23:17 +0000

Dario Ringach spoke with Science about the panel discussion he organised at UCLA and the renewed attention he's had from animal-rights extremists.

Switzerland rejects move to provide lawyers for animals

Tue, 9 Mar 2010 09:04:05 +0000

Voters in Switzerland have rejected a proposal to introduce a nationwide system of state-funded lawyers to represent animals in court.

Fat rats skew research results

Wed, 3 Mar 2010 09:24:47 +0000

Overfed lab animals make poor subjects for experiments.

Defending animal research

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 12:27:59 +0000

Blog post and discussion on animal research and protest

Outcry stopped approved pig study of avalanche survival

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 16:41:54 +0000

A study of the factors that determine survival after avalanche burial has been stopped, following animal rights protests.

UCLA brings together animal-research factions

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 09:30:49 +0000

Dialogue is key to dealing with extremism, say panellists on both sides of a debate at UCLA.

Lords debate on animals used for scientific purposes - transcript

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 10:05:03 +0000

Transcript of members of the House of Lords discussing the Lords EU Committee report on the protection of animals used for scientific procedures.

Lords debate on animals used for scientific purposes - video

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 09:59:37 +0000

Video of members of the House of Lords discussing the Lords EU Committee report on the protection of animals used for scientific procedures.

Hampton Implementation Review Report for the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Division and Inspectorate published

Thu, 4 Feb 2010 12:23:13 +0000

The review examines the work of the Animal Sceintific Procedures Division (ASPD) and Inspectorate (ASPI), which are both part of the Home Office's Science and Research Group (SRG).

NC3Rs grant winners

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 08:32:59 +0000

The NC3Rs has awarded its first PhD studentships to five early-career scientists within UK institutions as part of its aim to advance the knowledge and application of methods to replace, refine and reduce animal experiments.

Public opinion polling: what is it for?

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 08:19:43 +0000

A researcher looks at the role of public opinion in the debate, rather than what the public thinks or even what polling purports to show.

BUAV student guide economical with the truth

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 08:19:04 +0000

What is wrong with animal experiments? asks BUAV's new ‘guide for students' and it is a question worth asking. The trouble is that the answers that the guide provides don't seem to have very much to do with the science.

More comment on flaws in animal studies

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 09:39:25 +0000

The NC3Rs must ensure that its guidelines are helpful for researchers and journals and not so far-reaching that they are unworkable.

BBSRC/MRC fund training in animal physiology

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 08:42:44 +0000

Research institutions with PhD students funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) or the Medical Research Council (MRC) can apply for additional funding to support the high cost of training for research into whole animal physiology.

Animal research study shows many tests are full of flaws

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 09:12:54 +0000

Ben Goldacre reports a study from the NC3Rs.

Zebrafish are good models for human disease

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 14:19:47 +0000

Recent studies show zebrafish to be a useful animal model in studying mental illness and neurological diseases.

Double bill in The Times for animal research

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 16:47:39 +0000

It's been a double bill of engaging content on animal research from The Times and Sunday Times over the past week

Why we experiment on animals

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 09:25:58 +0000

Guest blog post in the Times' Eureka Zone.

Openness and anonymity

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 09:26:34 +0000

Understanding Animal Research comments on the blog post in The Times

Threat of Animal Rights Violence Influenced Decision to Cancel Anthrax Project

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 09:46:42 +0000

A planned anthrax project at Oklahoma State University has been cancelled, to avoid attracting controversy from the violent elements of various animal rights groups.

Reflections on 50 years working with animals

Mon, 7 Dec 2009 09:13:34 +0000

In his new book, an animal researcher reflects on animal rights and what extremists get wrong.

SHAC are ten years old

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 09:15:35 +0000

The animal rights extremist group SHAC is 10 years old this month. The Understanding Animal research website looks at the history of extremism.

US antivivs regroup to oppose Pro-Test

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 09:30:07 +0000

Animal Liberation Press Officers have joined with other animal rights militants to form a new animal rights organization designed to counter the recent strong pro-research advocacy campaigns of the Pro-Test movement.

New booklet on animal research

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 08:49:36 +0000

Booklet from American Physiological Society explains why researchers study animals.

US rock band give violent anti-research message

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 10:01:38 +0000

American rock band The Flaming Lips implied that abuse towards animal researchers is acceptable, in a preamble to their song ‘Evil' at a concert.

House of Lords report on EU directive published

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 09:07:05 +0000

Understanding Animal Research welcomes the report published this week by the House of Lords EU Committee. The Committee carried out an enquiry into proposals to revise EU Directive 86/609 on the protection of animals used in experiments.

EU continues fight to reduce animal testing

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 08:53:44 +0000

European Commission Vice-President Günter Verheugen, and Science and Research Commissioner Janez Potocnik restated the EU's commitment to the reduction of animal testing.

Progress on alternative approaches to animal testing

Mon, 9 Nov 2009 09:28:02 +0000

The European Partnership on Alternative Approaches to Animal Testing (EPAA) was launched in November 2005 by European Commission Vice President Günter Verheugen and Science & Research Commissioner Janez Potočnik together with the European industry. At a conference in Brussels both industry and the Commission have expressed their strong wish to strengthen this unprecedented collaboration to reduce animal testing as much as possible to avoid unnecessary suffering for animals (the 3Rs Approach) wherever possible.

US publicity campaign in favour of animal research

Wed, 4 Nov 2009 17:07:54 +0000

A decline in support for using animals in research has sparked an aggressive national campaign to promote it.

Infiltration raises questions

Tue, 3 Nov 2009 08:47:41 +0000

The recent infiltration of a UK safety testing facility by an antivivisectionist raises many questions. According to a report in The Sunday Times, animals are being used to test ‘botox’ for cosmetic purposes, the law is being flouted and animal welfare practices are poor.

American Physiological Society endorses report on random source dogs and cat

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 09:48:28 +0000

The American Physiological Society has endorsed the recommendation of a National Academy of Sciences report calling for the identification of new suppliers to replace Class B dealers as providers of random source dogs and cats for medical research.

Swiss ban macaque research

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 09:17:33 +0000

The Swiss Supreme Court has banned scientists from continuing their research on macaque monkeys.

Towards replacing rabbit eye tests

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 09:36:02 +0000

Two new 'non-animal methods', have now been approved by OECD for testing the irritancy of some substances to the eye.

Efforts to increase public support for animal research

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 09:50:16 +0100

UCLA has placed a full-page advertisement in the Los Angeles Times urging people to sign a petition in favour of using animals in research.

PETA claims success in USDA discussions

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 08:38:04 +0100

PETA claims that the USDA's Center for Veterinary Biologics has replaced three vaccine tests involving pigs by non-animal methods.

How does cage enrichment affect rodents?

Tue, 6 Oct 2009 08:22:09 +0100

Article in The Scientist looks at cage enrichment techniques.

UK Bioscience submits supplementary evidence to the House of Lords EU Inquiry

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 10:01:25 +0100

The UK Bioscience sector prepared a submission of supplementary evidence to the House of Lords European Union Committee, Sub Committee D (Environment and Agriculture) on the revision of Directive 86/609.

Animal rights extremists threaten researchers and health outcomes

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 09:38:59 +0100

Two new expert commentaries released in the September 16 issue of The Journal of Neuroscience spotlight the increasingly violent animal rights attacks and the need for an educated public and engaged research community to ensure the safety of animals and researchers, as well as the continuation of health advances.

Public opinion is supportive of animal research

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 09:26:18 +0100

The latest public opinion research from Ipsos MORI shows that the vast majority of the British public can accept animal experimentation for medical research purposes.

RSPCA calls for end to animal research

Thu, 3 Sep 2009 08:52:04 +0100

RSPCA representatives join other animal welfare groups in Rome at an international congress on replacing animal experiments, and sends a petition to the UK Government signed by over 68,000 people.

European Commission and cosmetic industry to fund development of alternative solutions to animal testing

Wed, 2 Sep 2009 09:04:36 +0100

The European Commission and the European cosmetic industry will fund research into alternative safety testing methods. The European Commission launched a Euros 25 million call for proposals in this field and the European cosmetic industry, represented by the European Cosmetics Association committed to match the funds.

Cost Of REACH Underestimated?

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 08:40:34 +0100

Complying with European Union legislation that requires retroactive toxicological testing of tens of thousands of chemicals will cost six times more money and 20 times more experimental animals than expected, according to a new study

Schools drama released on DVD

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 08:49:39 +0100

Every Breath, an award-winning drama-based set of teaching resources from Y Touring Theatre Company is now available on DVD, free to schools. Writer Judith Johnson explores the full range of emotional, moral and intellectual issues surrounding animal research in a short play based on a family dispute between 18-year-old animal rights protestor Sonny and his equally passionate scientist sister Anita.

AMRC study day - animals in medical research

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 09:20:26 +0100

Our study day examines the issues and gives participants a chance to discuss their concerns with experts. The day includes a visit to an animal house to see how animals are cared for and meet staff looking after them.

Protests at Hannover University

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 18:03:28 +0100

Pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim plans to build a massive research building for animal vaccines close to University of Hannover. Activists are protesting.

Authorities must respond to animal activists wrongdoing

Fri, 7 Aug 2009 09:15:15 +0100

Editorial in te Financial times says animal rights extremists are expanding and intensifying their terrorist tactics across Europe. The authorities must respond swiftly and firmly.

Pavlov's Dogs and Schrodinger's Cat - book review

Fri, 7 Aug 2009 08:55:06 +0100

Review of Pavlov's Dogs and Schrodinger's Cat: Scenes from the Living Laboratory. By Rom Harre
Times Higher, 6th Aug 2009

NC3Rs grantwinners

Fri, 7 Aug 2009 08:51:41 +0100

The NC3Rs has funded 13 grants, worth a total of £4.5 million, at UK establishments.

New stem cell research could reduce number of animal experiments

Wed, 5 Aug 2009 09:31:56 +0100

Researchers from the University of Bath are embarking on a project to use stem cell technology that could reduce the number of animal experiments used to study conditions such as motor neurone disease.

Not animal testing, but animal research

Wed, 5 Aug 2009 09:31:02 +0100

Why is the concept of animal research so difficult to grasp? Perhaps it's because the preferred antivivisection terms are animal testing (ie safety testing, representing about one eighth of animal research) or vivisection (ie surgery, representing less than one third of animal research).

Novartis accuses activists of theft and arson

Wed, 5 Aug 2009 09:20:36 +0100

Drug maker Novartis AG said Tuesday that animal rights activists have stolen the ashes of its CEO's mother and set fire to his Austrian hunting lodge.

Science and the three Rs

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 09:17:09 +0100

Government funding for alternatives research, through NC3Rs, has nearly doubled this year.

RSPCA calls for end to increases in research animal use

Mon, 27 Jul 2009 10:43:13 +0100

The RSPCA wants to see efforts massively stepped up by everyone involved in animal experiments to replace or avoid the use of animals in research and bring to a halt to the annual rise in figures.

Freedom of Information and animal research

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 09:26:40 +0100

A new website can be used to make Freedom of Information requests and acts as an archive for all information received.

Swine flu research

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 09:25:21 +0100

Understanding Animal Research has developed a page on research into influenza, including swine flu. It includes information on the role of animals in the development of antivirals and vaccines, and states 'the ferret is the best model for studying influenza in humans'.

Peter Tatchell against animal testing

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 09:23:16 +0100

Peter tatchell writes in The Guardian against animal testing. A predictably long comment section.

MRC comments on research animal numbers

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 09:35:22 +0100

MRC press release on the Home Office release of figures on animals in research.

More research means more animals

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 09:34:47 +0100

Comment on animals research numbers, from Understanding Animal Research blog.

Home Office press release on research animal numbers

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 09:28:04 +0100

Publication of the latest statistics on animal research and the Animal Scientific Procedures Inspectorate Annual Report 2008

Numbers of animal experiments increase

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 08:57:20 +0100

Animal rights campaigners round on government as expansion in biomedical research triggers record increase in medical tests. Report in The Guardian, 22 July 2009

UK bioscience sector publishes detailed response on European regulation

Tue, 21 Jul 2009 09:10:46 +0100

A dozen organisations representing UK bioscience have published their answers, many of them detailed, to 72 questions posed by the UK Home Office. The Home Office consulted stakeholders about EU proposals for a new Directive

Sharing mouse strains

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 09:50:06 +0100

Correspondence in Nature about the problems of sharing mouse strains
Nature 460, 324 (16 July 2009)

Medical drama highlights history of anti-vivisection

Tue, 7 Jul 2009 11:13:45 +0100

A TV dramatisation of Edwardian antivivisection protest on Sunday night in Casualty 1909 shows there's little new in the public debate over animal research and testing.

Animal use details to go online in USA

Tue, 7 Jul 2009 11:09:00 +0100

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) must post annual reports from animal research facilities that document the levels of pain and distress experienced by animals in experimental procedures, according to a court settlement last week (July 1) of a lawsuit between the USDA and the Humane Society.

Brazilian law on animal experimentation

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:37:40 +0100

Letter in Science magazine.

Guide to the three Rs

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 14:48:12 +0100

The National Centre for the Three Rs has produced a handy 'beginners guide' to the 3Rs - Refinement, Reduction and Replacement - and how they can benefit science, innovation and animal welfare.

Pyrogen tests - a tale of three species

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 09:12:19 +0100

The law of unintended consequences may have led to saving rabbits at the expense of two other species.

New book on animal rights coming

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 10:31:35 +0100

A book to be published soon promises a considered, less polarised approach to the animal rights debate.

RSPCA argues against use of primates in research

Mon, 1 Jun 2009 14:57:04 +0100

The RSPCA looks at claims surrounding the use of genetically modified monkeys for medical research and says it is a step too far

Animal resellers not necessary says report

Mon, 1 Jun 2009 14:48:03 +0100

It is not necessary for researchers funded by the National Institutes of Health to acquire "random source" dogs and cats -- which come from the general animal population -- from Class B dealers that purchase and resell animals, says a new report from the (US) National Research Council

Justifying primate use

Thu, 28 May 2009 10:09:22 +0100

Researchers who use genetically modified primates need to gear up for the inevitable public debate. Editorial in
Nature vol 459, p. 483.

Meeting Explores Future of Chemical Safety Testing

Mon, 18 May 2009 09:01:32 +0100

The National Research Council this week hosted a three-day symposium that explored how to apply new approaches in testing the safety of chemicals recommended in its 2007 report Toxicity Testing in the 21st Century.

Primate lab slapped by USDA

Wed, 13 May 2009 13:12:14 +0100

Federal investigators have confirmed reports of primate mistreatment at the largest primate research facility in the US.

A Researchers' Guide to Communications

Mon, 11 May 2009 10:02:50 +0100

A new booklet offering advice to researchers who want to be more open about their work, from the group Understanding Animal Research.

Consultation on proposal for a new EU directive to strengthen the protection of animals used in scientific experiments

Mon, 11 May 2009 09:09:44 +0100

A public consultation on the European Commission's proposal for a new Directive to strengthen the regulation of the use of animals in scientific experiments has been launched by the Home Office.

RSPCA criticises MEPs' vote

Thu, 7 May 2009 09:17:34 +0100

The RSPCA says it is dismayed by the European Parliament vote on a new lab animal law, which fell short of what they hoped would be done to improve animal welfare.

European Parliament Takes a Stand on Animal Research

Thu, 7 May 2009 09:18:18 +0100

The European Parliament has rejected legislative changes that would have severely restricted animal research

European animal research vote generates more anger

Tue, 5 May 2009 19:00:00 +0100

The majority of members of the European Parliament (MEPs) voted with the agriculture committee, backing the use of non-human primates in basic research and science-friendly approaches to the re-use of animals.

Toxicology research can be faster, more efficient and require less animal testing

Tue, 5 May 2009 09:36:57 +0100

Toxicology research for approving new products for the market can take place more quickly and efficiently by largely replacing laboratory animal testing with a combination of in-vitro research and computer models.

Review of the UCL Pro-Test rally

Fri, 1 May 2009 09:17:36 +0100

Proponents and opponents of animal research gathered at UCLA. Science Vol. 324. no. 5927, p. 574

Animal technologist profiled in The Times

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 09:45:55 +0100

The regular column in The Times called 'The Shift', which profiles different jobs, today featured an animal technologist working at pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca.

International scientific agreement on validation of alternatives to animal testing

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 11:14:39 +0100

Global efforts to promote alternatives to testing on animals receive a significant boost today through the signing of a cooperation agreement by international bodies, including the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC), tasked with the validation of alternative test methods.

Early Steps Toward Animal Rights

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 09:05:38 +0100

Review of book: The Rise of the Animal Protection Movement.

Hundreds Turn Out for Pro-Animal- Research Rally at UCLA

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 09:36:01 +0100

The organizers of the Pro-Test rally at University of California, Los Angeles, say hundreds of people - many of them students and postdocs - came out to show their support for biomedical research.

UK bioscience supports amendments to EU regulations

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 09:27:26 +0100

Eleven leading organisations representing the UK bioscience sector have issued a Declaration of Support for a raft of amendments to European regulation of animal research.

Twittering from Animal Rights Rally at UCLA

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 08:53:02 +0100

Science reporter Greg Miller will be on the scene as those for and against animal research make their case. Sign up to follow his feed.

Animal rights activists arrested in California

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 13:41:29 +0100

Alleged members of the Animal Liberation Front have been charged with conspiracy, stalking and other crimes related to a campaign against researchers in California.

Universities ordered to release animal test data

Thu, 9 Apr 2009 11:38:48 +0100

Several universities and major colleges have been ordered to reveal information about their animal experiments by the Information Commissioner's Office.

UCLA forms Pro-Test chapter

Fri, 3 Apr 2009 09:10:58 +0100

Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles have formed a chapter of Pro-Test, an Oxford, England-based group that supports animal testing in scientific research.

Occupational health in the lab

Thu, 2 Apr 2009 09:56:23 +0100

A look at some of the risks of lab work.
Nature vol 458, pp 664-665

Scientists must stand up and be counted

Thu, 2 Apr 2009 09:53:37 +0100

Scientists need to lead the way to persuade government to take a stand.

The impact of big science

Wed, 1 Apr 2009 09:12:11 +0100

Discussion of a blog post on how high throughput techniques are changing bioscience.

MEP Committee sanctions better legal protection for research animals

Wed, 1 Apr 2009 09:06:55 +0100

The Agriculture committee in the European Parliament yesterday voted to pass a report on the revision of EU Directive 86/609 on the protection of animals used in scientific research. The proposed Directive would mean substantially higher levels of regulation and improved standards of animal welfare for all animal experiments across Europe.

RSPCA concern on animal legislation

Wed, 1 Apr 2009 09:06:10 +0100

The RSPCA is extremely concerned that proposed legislation meant to help protect the millions of animals that suffer in experiments is in danger of being significantly watered down.

More pain studies needed

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 09:58:43 +0000

Scientists struggle to fund work on animal pain and distress, says US NRC report.
Nature vol 458, pp 394-395

NC3Rs event at House of Lords

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 09:31:37 +0000

Researchers from The University of Nottingham will be in Westminster today to talk to MPs about how innovative scientific advances could reduce the need for animal experimentation in the quest to find new treatments for the painful degenerative joint condition osteoarthritis.

UK Bioscientists Lobby on Animal Experimentation Law

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 09:11:25 +0000

Scientists and officials representing major U.K. biomedical organizations have released a joint declaration expressing concern that a proposed revamping of European regulations on the use of animals in research will cause more harm to science than good for animals.

Research community demands revision of EC Directive on use of animals in research

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 09:10:42 +0000

Unless it is amended, the new EU Directive on the Protection of Animals used for Scientific Purposes, as proposed by European Commission and European Parliament, could seriously impede the further advancement of European medical and veterinary research.

Why animal welfare matters

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 13:02:54 +0000

Blog post that tries to show "the activities and motivations of a handful of the dedicated animal care technicians from across the country’s animal laboratories who work tirelessly to ensure animal welfare remains the highest priority".

Questionnaire on animal research

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 09:23:16 +0000

The use of animals in medical research is a subject that divides opinion, with very few absolute ‘rights’ or ‘wrongs’. To some, it is morally wrong to experiment on animals, while others argue that not doing everything possible to find cures for human and animal diseases is morally wrong. Try our short questionnaire to explore how you feel and where you stand in the debate.

Humane Society Launches Offensive to Ban Invasive Chimp Research

Fri, 13 Mar 2009 09:38:28 +0000

The Humane Society of the United States last week stepped up its long-running campaign to end biomedical research with chimpanzees and is working with Congress to draft and introduce new legislation that would ban "invasive" research on great apes.
Science Vol. 323. no. 5920, pp. 1414 - 1415

An end to testing cosmetics on animals

Fri, 13 Mar 2009 09:32:00 +0000

Amendments made to the European Union Cosmetics Directive are now in force, meaning it is now illegal to test cosmetics ingredients on animals anywhere in the EU.

Guidance to help reduce number of mice used in research published by RSPCA

Thu, 12 Mar 2009 14:18:17 +0000

The RSPCA, along with leading funders of medical research, is calling on scientists to share both information and animals to help reduce the increasing number of genetically-altered (GA) mice used in research.

Essay competition about the future of animal research

Thu, 12 Mar 2009 12:30:58 +0000

The NC3Rs and New Scientist have launched an essay competition ‘Beyond animal research.

Animal-Rights Extremists Target Californian Neuroscientist

Thu, 12 Mar 2009 10:16:19 +0000

Animal-rights extremists aren't letting up in their attacks on California biomedical researchers. According to the Los Angeles Times, the FBI is investigating a firebombing that destroyed the car of a University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), neuroscientist over the weekend.

US primate lab in trouble

Fri, 6 Mar 2009 09:53:20 +0000

The largest primate facility in the US is drawing fire after an investigation by the Humane Society of the United States produced video footage of alleged animal welfare violations at the center.

Human dignity must be basis for debate on primate research

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 09:33:24 +0000

Letter to Nature.
Nature 457, 1079

Reducing Animal Experiments through Top-class Research

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 09:05:46 +0000

The haematologist Professor Christopher Baum and his colleagues Dr. Ute Modlich and Sabine Knöß have been awarded the 2009 Ursula M. Händel Animal Welfare Prize.

Quiz on animals in research

Tue, 24 Feb 2009 09:35:23 +0000

The Understanding Animal Research website has a new quiz. The quiz is a quick and fun curriculum-appropriate activity to help start young people thinking about animal research or to test understanding once they have explored the subject in more depth. There is also a form for teachers to request a visit from a speaker involved in research.

Californian animal activists arrested

Tue, 24 Feb 2009 09:01:30 +0000

FBI agents have nabbed four people suspected of harassing University of California life science researchers over the past two years.

Timeline of animals in research

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 10:03:42 +0000

An illustrated historical timeline shows the contribution of animals to some major medical advances.

Revision of European regulation of animal research gets underway

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 16:26:50 +0000

The European Commission published its proposal for a new directive regulating animal experimentation in the EU in late 2008. The Agriculture committee meeting this week is one of the first stages in the tight timetable of discussion and amendments before a full debate in parliament.

Darwin understood the need for animal tests

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 10:58:52 +0000

The great naturalist loved all living creatures but defended vivisection. This sparked a debate that still rages today. Article by Colin Blakemore in The Times.

Pathogen lab lost infected mice

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 09:16:03 +0000

A New Jersey infectious disease lab seems to be plagued with an inability to keep track of research mice infected with dangerous pathogens.

It should be possible to replace animals in research?

Fri, 6 Feb 2009 10:25:44 +0000

Correspondence in Nature.

US needs stronger support for animal researchers

Fri, 6 Feb 2009 10:24:08 +0000

The US authorities need to strengthen their position on the use of animals in experiments.
Nature vol 457,p 636

Cell-building discovery could reduce need for some animal research

Tue, 3 Feb 2009 09:32:46 +0000

Biomedical engineers, using a 3-D Petri dish they invented, have successfully built complex-shaped microtissues by assembling small building blocks of living cell clusters. The finding, to be published in the March 1 edition of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, helps advance the field of tissue engineering and could reduce the need for some animal research.

Gibson calls for more alternatives

Mon, 26 Jan 2009 09:36:41 +0000

New technologies that avoid the need for vivisection should be given greater support, said Dr Ian Gibson, a member of the Commons' Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills Committee.

Court jails Huntingdon animal test lab blackmailers

Thu, 22 Jan 2009 09:31:56 +0000

Seven animal rights activists who tried to close down Huntingdon Life Sciences by blackmailing companies linked to the animal testing laboratory have been jailed for between four and 11 years.
Guardian, 21st Jan.

Skin irritation testing: in the dish and not on animals

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 11:51:50 +0000

The European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods (ECVAM), part of the JRC Institute for Health and Consumer Production (IHCP), has finalised the evaluation and validation of two further in vitro test methods for chemical substances using human skin cells

Scottish MEP calls for ban on monkey testing

Mon, 12 Jan 2009 15:59:29 +0000

A Scottish MEP has called for a proposed ban on primate testing to be extended to include monkeys used in Scottish laboratories. Labour MEP David Martin said Scotland runs proportionately more tests on primates than any country in the EU.

Conference on animal welfare

Mon, 12 Jan 2009 14:26:08 +0000

The EU-funded Welfare Quality project will hold a scientific conference entitled 'Knowing animals: a cross-fertilisation between natural and social sciences for understanding the quality of life of animals' in Florence, Italy, on 5 and 6 March.