Use of Animals In Lab Experiments Increasing
Posted on: Tuesday, 19 August 2008, 08:55 CDT
According to new research, the number of animals used in laboratory experiments is nearly 115 million worldwide.
The figure is based on official numbers from 37 countries, but includes estimates for countries where data is not available.
Researchers hope the report will encourage more responsible regulation and policies.
The report, which appears in the journal Alternatives to Laboratory Animals, has been disputed by pro-experiment organizations.
The estimate was conducted as a joint venture between the Dr. Hadwen Trust for Humane Research and the British Union for the Abolition for Vivisection, and according to the groups, was the first global estimate of animals used in scientific experimentation.
The UK-based team estimated national statistics for countries where numbers were not released by the number of scientific papers that were published involving animals.
The numbers included animals that were humanely killed, and those deemed as surplus.
Neither category was included in previous national estimates.
"It is troubling that there are so many countries that appear not to record the lives of those animals suffering in their laboratories," said Wendy Higgins of the Trust for Humane Research.
"Knowing the number of animals used gives real ammunition for the general public to put pressure on their governments to play their part in the global reduction and replacement of animals in experiments," she said.
The study estimates that the U.S. (17 million) and Japan (11 million) use the largest number of animals, while France, Canada, and Australia all followed with nearly 2.3 million.
Communications director for the UK’s Research Defense Society, Barbara Davies believes the reports final figure is exaggerated.
According to Davies, the data for many countries was very limited or out of date.
"The paper makes too many assumptions and extrapolations to have any confidence in its conclusion," said Davies.
"They know the media will pick up 115 million as the top-line result, and not delve deeper into how they achieved this number."
Davies believes the numbers should be put into context showing how society benefits from the experiments.
In the UK the number of animals used in experiments has grown steadily at a rate of 6% a year over the last decade.
"This year is the first time in 16 years that we have seen the number of animals used in UK labs exceed three million," says Higgins.
The use of genetically modified animals has quadrupled since 1995, and is to blame for the growth in the number of animals used.
According to Davies, the genetically modified animals helped scientists understand gene flaws and how they affect human health.
"It is in everyone's interest to replace animals in experiments wherever possible, but it is difficult, and that is why progress is slow," Davies added.
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On the Net:
- Alternatives to Laboratory Animals
- Dr. Hadwen Trust for Humane Research
- British Union for the Abolition for Vivisection
- Trust for Humane Research
Source: redOrbit Staff & Wire Reports
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User Comments (2)
| 2. |
Posted by JANE SNYDER on 03/19/2009, 14:49 MY THREE DOGS WERE STOLEN ON JAN 14TH, HOW CAN I BE SURE THEY AREN'T IN A LAB, I DONT CARE IF MARY HANLY SAYS GOOD RECORDS ARE KEPT, THE ANIMALS CAN STILL BE OUT SOURCED BY CLASS B DEALERS THAT SEE $$$ SIGNS FOR EVERY DOG OBTAINED, THIS IS NOT RIGHT |
| 1. |
Posted by Sue on 01/26/2009, 19:42 animal testing is wrong!!! |
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