Use of animals in medical research
The use of animals in medical research remains essential. However, in accordance with the law, scientists must avoid using animals wherever possible. If applying for funding for studies involving animals, researchers must give sound scientific reasons for using them and explain why there are no realistic alternatives.
Around 30 per cent of the research we fund involves animals. We are committed to ensuring that these programmes follow high standards of animal welfare. This page provides information about our work and ethical policy in this area.
- Review of Research Using Non-Human Primates
- Promoting the 3Rs
- MRC policy and publications
- Consultations
Review of Research Using Non-Human Primates
The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), Medical Research Council (MRC) and Wellcome Trust commissioned and funded the independent Review of Research Using Non-Human Primates led by Professor Sir Patrick Bateson FRS following the recommendation of a 2006 Working Group chaired by Sir David Weatherall that they undertake a systematic review of the outcome of all their research using non-human primates supported over the last decade.
Promoting the 3Rs
As part of our commitment to animal welfare, the MRC plays an active role in developing and disseminating the principles of the 3Rs:
- Replacement of animals with humane alternatives wherever possible
- Reduction in the numbers of animals used
- Refinement of husbandry and procedures to minimise any pain and suffering the animals may experience and to improve animal welfare.
We are co-funders of the National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs). More information on the NC3Rs website.
MRC policy and publications
The MRC has issued various sets of guidance concerning the use of animals in research:
- Responsibility in the Use of Animals in Medical Research: General guidance for researchers using animals or animal research products in research and to those assessing applications for research funding.
ARRIVE guidelines
- Animal Research: Reporting of In Vivo Experiments: The responsibility in the use of animals in bioscience research document also encourages researchers to report animal-based studies in accordance with the ARRIVE Guidelines. These guidelines are intended to improve standards of reporting and ensure that the data from animal experiments can be fully evaluated and utilised. The guidelines have been published in the journal PLoS Biology and seven other journals. The ARRIVE (Animal Research: Reporting In Vivo Experiments) guidelines have been developed by the NC3Rs to improve standards of reporting and ensure that the data from animal experiments can be fully evaluated and utilised. The guidelines are primarily aimed at scientists writing up their research for publication or involved in peer review. Developed in consultation with the scientific community, including researchers, statisticians, journal editors, and funders, the guidelines consist of a 20-point checklist of the essential information that should be included in publications reporting animal research.
- Code of Practice for the Supply of Rodents in Research: A document directed at the MRC’s own staff, but also relevant to those working in Universities, which aims to minimise the avoidable production of surplus rodents.
- Code of Practice for the Supply of Aquatics in Research: A document directed at the MRC’s own staff, but also relevant to those working in Universities, which aims to minimise the avoidable production of surplus fish and amphibians.
- Sharing and archiving of genetically altered mice: Opportunities for reduction and refinement A Report of an RSPCA/MRC/BBSRC/NC3Rs Working Group on how archiving and sharing of genetically-altered mouse lines can provide the opportunity for reduction and refinement.
In relation to use of non-human primates, the MRC has adopted the following NC3Rs policy and guidance for research establishments:
- NC3Rs guidelines on Primate Accommodation, Care and Use: Guidelines on the accommodation, care and use of non-human primates, produced by the NC3Rs and adopted by the MRC. Researchers (staff and grant holders) and their host establishments are responsible for applying the guidelines.
- Key considerations in the breeding of macaques and marmosets for scientific purposes (MRC/LASA statement, May 2004): A LASA/MRC document aimed at researchers and associated care staff which sets out general principles for good practice in the breeding of macaques and marmosets for scientific purposes.
MRC publications
- Mice and Medicine: an MRC publication aimed at general audiences explaining why and how research involving animals continues to contribute to medical progress
- Primates in Medical Research: An MRC/Wellcome Trust publication aimed at general audiences explaining when and how non-human primates are used in medical research, why it is necessary and the benefits for human health.
- The use of non-human primates in research - The Weatherall Report: An independent study funded by the Academy of Medical Sciences, the Royal Society, the Medical Research Council and the Wellcome Trust. The group, chaired by Sir David Weatherall, concludes there is a scientific case for careful, meticulously regulated non-human primate research, provided it is the only way of solving important questions and high standards of welfare are maintained. December 2006.
Consultations
House of Lords’ Science and Technology Committee
The MRC submitted two sets of written evidence to the House of Lords’ Science and Technology Committee Inquiry on “Animals in Scientific Procedures”. These contain further information about the MRC’s views on the topic:
- House of Lords Select Committee on Animals in Scientific Procedures- Animals in Scientific Procedures
- House of Lords Select Committee on Animals in Scientific Procedures: Animals in Scientific Procedures - Further Evidence from the Medical Research Council
Nuffield Council on Bioethics
Animal Procedures Committee
European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)
The EFSA was invited by the European Commission to produce a scientific opinion on questions relating to the revision of Directive 86/609/EEC on the use of animals in research.
The EFSA’s Animal Health and Welfare Panel has produced an opinion which has now been endorsed by EFSA. Read the MRC’s comments on this opinion as at January 2006 (PDF 48k). In June 2006, the Commission released two consultations on its proposals for revising the Directive. The expert questionnaire set out in detail the Commission’s aims and an impact assessment for each of the 19 or so proposed changes.
Home Office
- Revision of EU Directive 86/609/EEC on the protection of animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes – comments for Home Office feedback to the European Commission (February 2007).
- Consultation on protecting animals used in scientific research (consultation asking for views on the revision to EU directive 86/609/EEC)
Home Office Consultation on Transposition of European directive 2010/63/EU - protection of animals used for scientific purposes
The MRC supports and signed up to the UK Bioscience Sector Coalition response to the Home Office Consultation on the Transposition of European Directive 2010/63/EU.
The MRC and BBSRC also submitted a joint response to this consultation; the areas we have commented on in our joint response are those where the MRC/BBSRC community have additional expertise and experience, which may be of help to the Home Office.
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
- DEFRA, Welsh Assembly Government and Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (Northern Ireland) joint consultation on veterinary check on rabies susceptible animals (July 2009)
- Consultation on the review of schedule 9 to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and a ban on the sale of certain non-native species (including Xenopus laevis) (February 2008)
CMP/RDS Review Committee
European Commission
House of Lords European Union Committee
Academy of Medical Sciences (AMS)