Reducing suffering

Do animals suffer in experiments?

There is no doubt that animals can experience pain or distress as a result of being used in experiments - but additional factors can also cause suffering. For example, transport to a research establishment can be very stressful, as can being handled, mixed with unfamiliar animals or even being transferred to a clean cage. Housing can cause problems if the animals' needs (e.g. for companions, somewhere to hide, a stimulating environment) are not fully taken into account. Euthanasia of animals at the end of the study can also cause suffering if the most humane methods are not used.

Many different types of procedure are carried out using animals. These can range from taking blood samples, to major surgery or creating animal 'models' of arthritis, liver disease or depression - all of which cause pain or distress in humans and will also cause animal suffering.

Experimental procedures in the UK are classified as causing 'mild', 'moderate' or 'substantial' suffering. Although many procedures are likely to be mild, large numbers of animals undergo procedures in the moderate category, and some animals suffer substantially. The cumulative effects of suffering over the lifetime of the animals, including the effects of boring housing conditions, can be much greater than suffering due to experiments.
 

What we do

Until the goal of replacing animals with humane alternatives is achieved, every possible step must be taken to avoid or minimise suffering and to improve animal welfare. This approach is known as 'refinement' and is one of the 3Rs.

Dr Penny Hawkins, Research Animals Department, RSPCA

 

There are many opportunities for reducing any fear, discomfort, pain or distress caused by experimental procedures or other aspects of the animals' lives. Much of our work is dedicated to:
 

• developing and promoting more effective ways of identifying and assessing animal discomfort, pain, anxiety or distress so that it can be recognised and treated earlier
   
• changing the way experimental and other procedures are carried out so that they cause less suffering
   
• influencing relevant laws and guidelines in the UK and internationally to promote the need to recognise, assess, reduce and report suffering

 

Find out more about our work to achieve fuller implementation of the 3Rs.

 

Better housing and care

Improving animal housing and care can make an immediate, positive difference to the quality of life of laboratory animals and also helps reduce any suffering associated with procedures. There is another, less obvious benefit - if animals can show a wide range of behaviours, they are more likely to be viewed as individuals, rather than as dispensable 'research tools'. This encourages greater efforts to replace animals with humane alternatives.

Many laws that control animal use, including the laws in the UK and European Union, have guidelines on how animals should be housed. However, laws only set out the basic minimum requirements. We believe that these standards can - and should - be improved for both ethical and animal welfare reasons and we are involved in many activities with this aim in mind.

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Related internet links

• NC3Rs - National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research 
   
• Altweb - Alternatives to Animal Testing Website 
   
• UFAW - Universities Federation for Animal Welfare 
   
• Ratlife - The Laboratory Rat: A Natural History