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Animal Experiments

Answer

Three major United Kingdom inquiries have reported since 2002 on the contribution of animal research to science and medicine.In 2002 the House of Lords Select Committee on Animals in Scientific Procedures held that"““On balance, we are convinced that experiments on animals have contributed greatly to scientific advances, both for human medicine and for animal health. Animal experimentation is a valuable research method which has proved itself over time. Toxicological testing in animals is at present essential for medical practice and the protection of consumers and the environment, as it often provides information that is not currently available from any other source.””"The Animal Procedures Committee carried out a review of the cost-benefit assessment in the use of animals in research and reported on this in June 2003. That report clearly states that"““An absolute position that all animal experiments are scientifically invalid is untenable examples of scientifically dubious or invalid animal experiments do not add up to a general proof that animal experimentation as a whole is flawed science.””"In 2005 the Nuffield Council on Bioethics, in their report ““The Ethics of Research Involving Animals””, stated that"““Animal research has been, and can potentially be, scientifically valid, in that it is possible to extrapolate from animal models to humans (or other animals) in specific cases (and) certain animal models have played significant roles in the study of particular diseases and led to the discovery of treatments for human diseases””."The report also states that"““producing a new medicine is a lengthy and complex process, and that decisions on the compounds that should proceed to the next stage are taken using a wide range of information. Tests on animals play a vital role, but they are not the only source of information that is used to determine safety and efficacy.””"We believe these views reflect those of the great majority in the wider scientific community.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

440 c25-6W;440 c25-6W; 30415

Session

2005-06

Subjects

Animal experiments Ethics Medicine Research Science

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk