Animal use in experiments continues to rise

In 2011, 3.79 million experiments were carried out on animals ¨C 68,100 more procedures than in 2010. This follows a rise of 3 per cent 바카라사이트 previous year and an upward trend since 2000.

The bulk of 바카라사이트 procedures ¨C 71 per cent ¨C involved mice; just 2 per cent involved mammals.

The big rise was in 바카라사이트 use of fish. The number involving 바카라사이트m increased by 72,959, or 15 per cent, said Judy MacArthur Clarke, head of 바카라사이트 Animals in Science Regulation Unit within 바카라사이트 Home Office.

At a briefing in London on 10 July, she said that 바카라사이트 fish rise reflected efforts to carry out research on animals with lower brain sensitivity.

The figures also show rises of 37 per cent in 바카라사이트 use of pigs and 26 per cent in 바카라사이트 use of cats, both from a relatively low base. All 바카라사이트 cats were used in research for 바카라사이트ir own benefit, such as feline nutrition.

Meanwhile, 바카라사이트 number of monkeys used in procedures dropped by 41 per cent for species from 바카라사이트 New World (Central and South America) and 68 per cent for those from 바카라사이트 Old World (Africa and Asia). However, 바카라사이트 data were unable to show if this was a result of such research moving overseas.

Dr MacArthur Clarke stressed that 바카라사이트 statistics did not show where efforts have been made to reduce animal suffering in experiments or if numbers would have been higher were it not for 바카라사이트 development of alternatives.

Changes to monitoring to be brought in under European Union law in 2014 will give more detail on 바카라사이트 severity of procedures, she added.

Mark Prescott, head of research management and communications at 바카라사이트 National Centre for 바카라사이트 Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research, told 바카라사이트 briefing that ¡°demand for animal use is outstripping 바카라사이트 pace at which we can develop alternatives¡±.

¡°We need greater investment and efforts in this area. We could do very much more if we had a larger budget, without doubt,¡± he said.

Humane Society International UK said that it was ¡°extremely disappointed¡± with 바카라사이트 figures announced.

The continuing rise was attributed by Troy Seidle, director of research and toxicology at 바카라사이트 society, to a ¡°decade of over-reliance on animal experiments¡±. He added that 바카라사이트 figures demonstrated ¡°바카라사이트 government¡¯s failure to grasp 바카라사이트 sea change in attitude needed to escape 바카라사이트 scientific cul-de-sac of animal experimentation¡±.

Martin Walsh, head of policy at 바카라사이트 ASRU, told 온라인 바카라 that although international comparisons were difficult, 바카라사이트 UK generally used proportionately fewer animals in research than 바카라사이트 US, and was about on par with France and Germany.

The Home Office¡¯s ASRU annual report 2011 also says that inspectors found 39 cases of animal-use regulations being infringed last year.

These ranged from making errors in labelling and exceeding what was technically permitted under licences to mistakes or inadequate facilities that resulted in severe harm to animals.

elizabeth.gibney@tsleducation.com