Cruel animal experimentation on rise in UK

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Animals continue to suffer and die in UK labs as experimentation numbers rise

The number of experiments carried out on animals rose to 3.7 million – the highest figure since 1986, according to the Home Office.

animal experimentation

Here is the story from Express.co.UK

More than 3.6million animals, including monkeys, rats and even household pets such as dogs have been subjected to scientific procedures according to the figures released today.

In 2010, some 3.7 million experiments were started on 3,642,517 animals, an increase of 3 per cent (+105,186) since 2009 and 37 per cent since 2000.

Primates were one of the main victims with the number of mammals, such as marmosets targeted rising by 10 per cent.

RSPCA senior scientist Barney Reed said: “Despite consistently being told that experiments using animals are only ever undertaken ‘where absolutely necessary’, we’ve seen an astonishing 37 per cent increase in animal use over the last decade.

“Much of this increase is due to the creation and use of genetically altered animals, which can cause suffering not only to these animals, but also to the animals used to produce them.”

BUAV Chief Executive Michelle Thew, Chief Executive of The British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection (BUAV) said:

“The UK should be leading the way in reducing animal testing. Unfortunately, these latest statistics show there is a long way to go.

“Despite a government pledge to reduce animals in research, millions  continue to suffer and die in UK laboratories, even when tests are redundant or alternatives are available. This is unacceptable.

“It is a disgrace that animals have continued to be used for years in tests that were no longer required by international regulations.

“Once again, it makes a mockery of the claims made by the Home Office and research industry that animals are only used when absolutely necessary.

“We call on the Home Office to weed out all obsolete and redundant animal tests by enforcing the legal requirement that companies have to reduce animal experiments by keeping up to date with scientific and regulatory requirements. We also call on the Government to fulfill its pledge to reduce animal experiments, and make meaningful and lasting change.”

The news comes as the Home Office plans to reduce UK standards on animal experimentation to conform with an EU directive.

The directive seeks to bring UK policies in line with those standards in eastern Europe.

Mr Reed added: “A watered-down law could mean laboratory animals in the UK being allowed to suffer ‘long-lasting, unalleviated, severe pain, suffering or distress’, it could allow some animals such as dogs to be kept in even smaller housing, and some UK laboratories may not be visited by Home Office officials for years at a time – this is simply unacceptable.

“The RSPCA is concerned that the coalition government has pledged to reduce the number of animals used in research, but has so far failed to announce any new strategy or meaningful actions that will actually achieve this.

“Without renewed support for the development and use of humane alternative methods in all areas, the number of animals used in UK laboratories is likely to remain high.”

The RSPCA is calling on the public to support its campaign to stop the Government taking a step back for animal welfare. To find out how you can help, visit www.giveanimalsavoice.org.uk.

While this story is directed at what is happening in the U.K. the fact is the number of animal experiments in the U.S. will no doubt be much, much higher.  The UK is a nation of animal lovers, with some very strict animal protection laws, while the United States is just now learning how to protect our gentle creatures.  This concerns me greatly and I intend to learn more about this barbaric treatment of our animals.  We need to STOP this horrible practice now, although that will take quite a fight, as no doubt the labs are protected by Republican politicians.

If you have any doubt type “animal experimentation” into Google and then click images.  Only do this if you think you can handle what you see.  While I was researching this story I came across it and simply couldn’t continue to look at those terrible pictures. We must stop animal experimentation now.

About Post Author

Carol Bell

Carol is a graduate of the University of Alabama. Her passion is journalism and it shows. Carol is our unpaid, but very efficient, administrative secretary.
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12 years ago

I’ve been experimenting on my pets for many years now.

Cheshire Cat
12 years ago

I had to look at those pictures. What a mistake, they broke my heart and sickened me at the same time. People are truly barbarians.

dp1053
12 years ago

Wholeheartedly agree. Let us know of any petitions or campaigns to stop this.

Reply to  dp1053
12 years ago

Will do Deb. If you run across any stories please submit them.

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