Ethics of Research involving animals
Summary
2.31 The justification for research involving animals has been contested for several hundred years. Since the mid-19th century, debate in the UK has intensified in parallel with the increased use of animals for this purpose. Growing levels of public concern led to the enactment of the first legislation on the subject in 1876. In the 20th century, academic discussion on the ethical justification of research involving animals, and debates bringing together stakeholder organisations, have been influential in the shaping of further legislation.
2.32 There is currently a broad spectrum of opinion about the ethics of conducting research on animals. A range of organisations is involved in the debate, including those representing the interests of industry and researchers, those who wish to improve conditions for animals or reduce research involving animals, and others who want an immediate end to research. Very few people resort to extreme forms of protest but their actions have had a disproportionate effect on the possibility of increasing openness in research. The current lack of openness and limited availability of balanced information appears to have contributed to mistrust. There is now increasing recognition by many stakeholders that this trend needs to be reversed.