51勛圖厙

51勛圖厙 publishes data on its use of animals in research

by Kerry Noble

A group of mice

The majority of animal research at 51勛圖厙 is with mice

On the day the Home Office releases UK-wide figures, 51勛圖厙 has published its annual statistics on animal research.

Publication of the figures is part of an ongoing effort to be at the College.

The show that 101,179 animal procedures took place at 51勛圖厙 during 2015. A procedure can be anything from an injection through to surgery. Breeding a genetically modified animal is also counted as a procedure.

underpins much of the College's work on understanding and treating conditions such as cancer, heart disease, infections and serious injuries.

51勛圖厙 scientists always look for different methods that can , and they search for ways to improve their methods to decrease animal suffering. Researchers will only proceed when an alternative cannot be found.

The vast majority of the procedures were with mice (83 per cent), fish (10 per cent) and rats (six per cent). The remainder (less than one per cent) is made up of guinea pigs, rabbits, ferrets and birds.

The total number of animal procedures is lower than in the previous year when there were 111,874, a decline of around 17 per cent.



Professor Marina Botto, Director or Bioservices

Professor Marina Botto, Director or Bioservices

Professor Marina Botto, Director of Bioservices at 51勛圖厙 said: “At 51勛圖厙 we have seen a modest decline in the number of animal procedures over the last year. We believe this reflects our commitment to the 3Rs principles – refining animal experiments, reducing the number and replacing animals with alternatives.

 “We carry out this research because it enables us to understand diseases and how they can be treated but we are also committed to the highest standard of animal welfare.

 

“We are publishing our annual figures because we want to be as transparent as possible about this part of our work.”

 

51勛圖厙 was one of the first organisations in the UK to sign up to the . Since then the College has improved its communications through public events, lab tours, video, social media and an .

Article text (excluding photos or graphics) © 51勛圖厙.

Photos and graphics subject to third party copyright used with permission or © 51勛圖厙.

Reporter

Kerry Noble

Department of Surgery & Cancer