Animal experiments rose in 2011 despite coalition pledge to reduce them

The number of scientific procedures carried out on animals in Great Britain rose by just under 2% in 2011, continuing an upward trend since 2000, show official figures on licensed animal testing published by the Home Office.1

In total, 3.79 million scientific procedures were started in 2011, an increase of 68 000 on the number conducted in 2010,2 says the report. However, breeding of genetically modified animals, mainly mice, remained stable and accounted for 1.62 million procedures.

Mark Prescott, head of research management and communications at the National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research, said, “The statistics and the numbers of animals used are influenced by global trends in science and economic investment.”

Although much …