Animals were used in 2.9 million medical experiments in Britain in 2005,
an increase of 1.4 percent from the previous year, the government said
on Monday. Most of the animals involved were mice, rats and other
rodents. Less than half of one percent of the procedures included dogs,
cats, horses or non-human primates, according to the figures released by
the Home Office.
"The UK has a reputation for producing high quality, well-regarded
research and I welcome the fact that this is being carried out under
some of the highest standards of welfare and accommodation in the
world," Home Office minister Joan Ryan said in a statement.
"Animal research and testing has played a part in almost every medical
breakthrough of the last century," she added.
Between 1974 and 1996 the number of procedures requiring animals fell
year on year. But since 2000 there has been an annual rise of 1-2 percent.
The increase is due mainly to the breeding of genetically modified
animals which were included in the figures. By turning off or inserting
genes in animals scientists hope to improve understanding of human
diseases and to develop new treatments.
"The overall figure might seem large but the number of animals put
through severe procedures in very small," Professor John Martin, of the
Centre for Vascular Biology and Medicine and the British Heart
Foundation, told a press conference.
Drug companies say animals are a vital part of the research and
development of new medicines and vaccines.
But animals rights groups who have fought a prolonged -- and sometimes
violent -- campaign against animal research, said the latest figures
represent a 14-year high.
"The government claims that animal experiments are suitably monitored
and regulated, but this is a claim made without evidence," said Poorva
Joshipura, the European Director of People for the Ethical Treatment of
Animals (PETA).
Britain set up the National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and
Reduction of Animals in Research in 2004. In addition to improving
standards of welfare it also studies alternatives to animal testing such
as computer modelling and cultured cells grown in test tubes.
(
Planet Ark, 25/07/2006)