Animals in research

Human life is intrinsically more morally valuable than animal life: we are more important than them.

All sentient animals have equal moral worth: their lives are as valuable as ours.

All mammals have the same organs performing the same functions and controlled by the same mechanisms, via hormones or the nervous system. Animal hormones have been used successfully in humans.

Significant species differences mean that it is impossible to extrapolate with any certainty the results of animal experiments to the human situation.

Whilst non-animal methods such as tissue culture, computer modelling, studies of patients and populations are widely used they do not provide enough information to ensure human safety.

Alternatives such as tissue culture, epidemiological studies and computer models can be used instead of testing on animals.

All experiments must be approved by Home Office Inspectors, who are doctors and vets with the knowledge and experience to weigh any distress involved in an experiment against the potential benefit for science and for humanity.

Pictures of animals in experiments are taken as clear evidence of cruelty.

Research Ethics Committees of funding bodies are rigorous in their consideration of animal welfare and scientists’ rationale for the research when deciding where to deploy their limited monies.

Much research using live animals is thought to be trivial.