There is still a lot we do not know about how our bodies can be affected by diseases. Understanding the basic biology of diseases such as Alzheimer’s, cancer, or heart disease is essential in finding their cause, how they spread, what they do to our body, and how we can stop those processes. We can learn a lot from studying people and cells, but all methods have advantages and disadvantages. Many studies require a fully living organism. From cancer to malaria and war wounds to heart disease, animal research forms an essential element of 51³Ô¹ÏÍø’s work.
Research involving animals forms an important element of 51³Ô¹ÏÍø’s work and is not undertaken lightly. At 51³Ô¹ÏÍø, we emphasise that the humane care of laboratory animals is essential, both ethically and scientifically. Poor animal care is not good science. If animals are not well-treated, the science and knowledge they produce cannot be replicated and is not trustworthy. Scientists who work with animals at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø are supported by a team of vets and technicians responsible for maintaining high levels of animal welfare.
Nothing so far has been discovered that can be a substitute for the complex functions of a living, breathing, whole-organ system. Until such a discovery, animals continue to play a critical role in helping research. At 51³Ô¹ÏÍø, we are committed to the principles of the 3Rs (replacement, refinement and reduction), and 51³Ô¹ÏÍø scientists always consider alternatives to animal research. Researchers will only proceed when there is no other suitable alternative.
We place good welfare at the centre of all our animal research. Many of the procedures on animals at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø involve minimal pain or discomfort. Nonetheless, some procedures will involve pain or discomfort when the nature of the experiment makes it unavoidable. However, the level of pain and discomfort is kept to as low intensity and a short duration as possible. There are strict regulations to ensure that animals in research do not suffer unnecessarily. At 51³Ô¹ÏÍø, staff, training and facilities are all geared towards minimising the suffering of animals.
Animal research is strictly regulated by the and overseen at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø by several ethical committees.
Over 98 per cent of animal research at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø involves mice and rats. The remainder, less than two per cent, involves fish, amphibians; guinea pigs; rabbits; and ferrets.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø aims to be open about research involving animals. Please read our policy statement and more about our approach to communicating this research