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Animal procedures show small rise Animal procedures show small rise
(35 minutes later)
The number of experimental procedures involving animals in Britain showed a small rise last year, despite a pledge by the government to reduce them.The number of experimental procedures involving animals in Britain showed a small rise last year, despite a pledge by the government to reduce them.
Figures show 4.12 million procedures were carried out with animals, a rise of 0.3% on the previous year.Figures show 4.12 million procedures were carried out with animals, a rise of 0.3% on the previous year.
Animal welfare campaigners said the government had "broken its promise" to cut the number of tests.Animal welfare campaigners said the government had "broken its promise" to cut the number of tests.
The Home Office statistics show more than half of the procedures entail breeding genetically modified animals.The Home Office statistics show more than half of the procedures entail breeding genetically modified animals.
Overall there was a 6% increase in breeding GM animals and a 5% decrease in other procedures.Overall there was a 6% increase in breeding GM animals and a 5% decrease in other procedures.
There were 3.08 million procedures on mice (75% of the total), 507,373 using fish (12%) and 226,265 with rats (6%). The remaining 5% includes birds, guinea pigs, dogs, cats, horses, sheep and cattle.There were 3.08 million procedures on mice (75% of the total), 507,373 using fish (12%) and 226,265 with rats (6%). The remaining 5% includes birds, guinea pigs, dogs, cats, horses, sheep and cattle.
In 2010, the coalition government pledged to promote higher standards of animal welfare.In 2010, the coalition government pledged to promote higher standards of animal welfare.
They stated: "We will end the testing of household products on animals and work to reduce the use of animals in scientific research."They stated: "We will end the testing of household products on animals and work to reduce the use of animals in scientific research."
Michelle Thew, chief executive of campaign group the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection, said: "The government has now failed for a third year on its 2010 post-election pledge to work to reduce the number of animals used in research.Michelle Thew, chief executive of campaign group the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection, said: "The government has now failed for a third year on its 2010 post-election pledge to work to reduce the number of animals used in research.
"As a result, millions of animals continue to suffer and die in our laboratories.""As a result, millions of animals continue to suffer and die in our laboratories."
But Wendy Jarrett, chief executive of Understanding Animal Research, which works to promote understanding of biomedical research involving animals, said, "It's not correct to say that the number of animals used has increased."
"Although the number of procedures, including breeding, has risen slightly, the number of animals used has been reduced by over 15,000 (0.4%)," she told BBC News. "This is slightly confusing, but the difference arises because there are particular cases when animals are the subject of more than one procedure each."
Prof Roger Morris of King's College London highlighted that excluding the breeding of GM animals, 2013 in fact saw a 5% reduction in "what we scientists would call an experiment".Prof Roger Morris of King's College London highlighted that excluding the breeding of GM animals, 2013 in fact saw a 5% reduction in "what we scientists would call an experiment".
The accompanying rise in breeding numbers, Prof Morris said, demonstrates the contribution of modern genetic techniques. "We're modelling more complex diseases more accurately than before."The accompanying rise in breeding numbers, Prof Morris said, demonstrates the contribution of modern genetic techniques. "We're modelling more complex diseases more accurately than before."
Other animal welfare groups claim that animal research is outdated. The Humane Society International stated the new figures represent a "crisis for medical research". Its director of research Troy Seidle said, "Much of [British] research is dominated by animal models of human disease that simply don't work, and that has to change if we want better quality medicine."Other animal welfare groups claim that animal research is outdated. The Humane Society International stated the new figures represent a "crisis for medical research". Its director of research Troy Seidle said, "Much of [British] research is dominated by animal models of human disease that simply don't work, and that has to change if we want better quality medicine."
However, scientists like Prof Robin Lovell-Badge, from the MRC's National institute for Medical Research, argue that despite significant advances areas such as stem cell research, animal experiments remain essential. "We need to understand how these stem cells respond to physiological signals within the body," he said.However, scientists like Prof Robin Lovell-Badge, from the MRC's National institute for Medical Research, argue that despite significant advances areas such as stem cell research, animal experiments remain essential. "We need to understand how these stem cells respond to physiological signals within the body," he said.
"Don't be misled by thinking that everything's going to be done in the tissue culture lab - that's not true.""Don't be misled by thinking that everything's going to be done in the tissue culture lab - that's not true."
In fact, some researchers question the wisdom of the coalition's post-election commitment to reducing animal experiments.In fact, some researchers question the wisdom of the coalition's post-election commitment to reducing animal experiments.
"I think it's unfortunate that they are so committed to it," Prof Morris said, "because the vital thing is to ensure the wellbeing of the animals and the value of the research."I think it's unfortunate that they are so committed to it," Prof Morris said, "because the vital thing is to ensure the wellbeing of the animals and the value of the research.
"If, as a result of big data analysis... as new opportunities come up and we get new insights into disease, if we then have to queue up, say, because [the number of animals] must be decreasing, that's very unfortunate because you're actually slowing down research which will make a big difference."If, as a result of big data analysis... as new opportunities come up and we get new insights into disease, if we then have to queue up, say, because [the number of animals] must be decreasing, that's very unfortunate because you're actually slowing down research which will make a big difference.
"On the other hand, it is true that getting everyone to think very hard about it is valuable.""On the other hand, it is true that getting everyone to think very hard about it is valuable."
Citing changes and reductions made by some pharmaceutical companies, he added, "British standards are providing a point of best practice for the rest of the world."Citing changes and reductions made by some pharmaceutical companies, he added, "British standards are providing a point of best practice for the rest of the world."