Where we stand
Humans share around 90% of their genes with all other mammals, because of this animal research has been used to discover how the basic processes of the bodywork and how these can go wrong when the body is affected by disease. This knowledge is vital if we are to develop treatments for illnesses affecting humans or animals. Animals also benefit from this research, through the development of veterinary medicines and procedures.
Dogs
Treatment for rickets
Rabbits
Corneal transplants
Rabbits & Dogs
Local anaesthetics
Guinea Pigs
Discovery of vitamin C Blood transfusions
1900s
Dogs, Rabbits & Mice
Insulin
Dogs
Corneal distemper vaccine
Rats, Rabbits, Dogs, Cats & Monkeys
Modern anaesthetics
Horses & Guinea Pigs
Tetanus vaccine
Guinea Pigs, Rabbits, Horses & Monkeys
Diphtheria vaccine
Guinea Pigs, Rabbits, Mice & Dogs
Anticoagulants
1920s
Mice
Penicillin & Streptomycin
Monkeys
Discovery of rhesus factor
Guinea Pigs, Rabbits, Dogs & Monkeys
Kidney dialysis
Mice & Rabbits
Whooping cough vaccine
Dogs
Heart-lung machine for open heart surgery
1940s
Mice & Monkeys
Polio vaccine
Dogs, Sheep & Goats
Hip replacement surgery
Dogs
Kidney transplants
Dogs
Cardiac pacemakers
Rats, Mice & Dogs
Medicines for high blood pressure
Dogs, Calves, Rabbits, Guinea Pigs & Rats
Replacement heart valves
Rats, Rabbits & Monkeys
Chlorpromazine & other psychiatric medicines
1950s
Dogs
Heart transplants
Dogs
Coronary bypass operations
Monkeys
German measles vaccine
Monkeys
MMR Vaccine
Rats, Guines Pigs & Rabbits
Antidepressants & antipsychotics
1960s
Pigs
CT scanning for improved diagnosis
Mice
Chemotherapy for leukaemia
Rats & Dogs
Medicines to treat ulcers
Guinea Pigs & Rabbits
Inhaled asthma medication
1970s
Rabbits & Pigs
MRI scanning for improved diagnosis
Sheep, Rabbits & Cattle
Prenatal corticosteroids improving survival of premature babies
Rodents & Cattle
Treatment for Onchocerciasis
Monkeys
Life support systems for premature babies
Mice, Rabbits, Dogs & Monkeys
Medicines to control transplant rejection
Monkeys
Hepatitis B vaccines
Many Species
Medicines to treat viral diseases
Armadillos & Monkeys
Treatment for Leprosy
1980s
Mice & Monkeys
Combined therapy for HIV infection
Mice
Meningitis vaccines
Rats
Better medicines for depression
Mice, Rats & Dogs
Medicines for breast & prostate cancer
Mice
Medicines for type 2 diabetes
Guinea Pigs & Monkeys
New medication for Asthma
Rabbits
Statins to lower cholesterol
1990s
Monkeys
Deep brain stimulation for Parkinson Disease
Mice
Monoclonal antibodies for adult leukaemia
Rabbits & Cattle
Cervical cancer vaccine
Goats
Clotting agent form milk
Chickens & Ferrets
Bird flu vaccine
2000s
The creation of penicillin, blood transfusions, organ transplants and the administration of insulin to combat Diabetes have all come from research involving animals. There have been huge breakthroughs in the treatment for many illnesses thanks to animal research – Asthma, HIV, Meningitis, Cancer and Parkinson’s to name a few.
Every human around the world has benefitted from animal research in one way or another, even down to taking something as simple as paracetamol for pain relief – just one of the many drugs that have been developed with the help of research.
Facts on animal research
1
All research involving animals in the United Kingdom is licensed by the Home Office
2
Less than 10 per cent of biomedical research uses animals.
3
The testing of cosmetic products and their ingredients on animals has been illegal in the UK since 1998 and across the EU since 2013.
4
116 UK organisations have signed the Concordat on Openness on Animal Research. We are all committed to educating and helping the UK public understand more about animal research.
Animals used in scientific research
Fish, birds, reptiles, amphibians and mammals, are protected under UK law, because of this, licences are needed to carry out research on these animals. Genetically modified animals (mostly mice) now make up over half of the animals used in research. Larger animals such as pigs, dogs and monkeys, account for less than 2% of the animals used in research.
Our Position on research
Agenda Life Sciences supports the research community through the provision of services aimed at facilitating research. We believe that whilst animal research continues to make a valuable contribution to scientific understanding and the development of medical treatments, the animals should be treated with dignity and respect at all times.
Agenda Life Sciences fully supports the Reduction, Refinement and Replacement of the use of animals in research. Until viable alternatives to animals are available for all areas of research, the animals should be cared for by dedicated, professional and well-trained individuals who care passionately about animal care and welfare.
Animal welfare is a priority, but so also is the welfare of the dedicated people working with the animals and also the welfare of the life science sector itself. Our ‘Welfare First’ programme is designed to consistently deliver standards of animal care and welfare that exceeds regulatory requirements. It puts in place the building blocks that underpin effective care and welfare; it is Agenda’s assertion that caring for the people that care for the animals in turn supports and nurtures a culture of care within the life science sector.