Reviewed: July 2024
AMRC supports our members to fund high quality and ethical research involving animals where no alternative is available. We collect sector data and provide guidance on the use of animals in research and how to be transparent about this. We work with others to create a supportive environment, and advocate on behalf of our members and their communities.
Most medical research doesn’t involve animals. 20% of the research grants funded by AMRC members starting in 2024 (n=546) involved animals. By law, animals must not be used where a suitable non-animal method is available and when researchers do work with animals, they must use the appropriate number and species. For example, certain higher species, like dogs and primates, have additional protections which mean that they can only be used when other species cannot.
Over three quarters of animals used in research are rodents - mice and rats. Fish, amphibians, birds, rabbits, and larger mammals such as pigs and sheep are also used. Cats, dogs, and monkeys together make up only about 2 in every 1000 research animals. Over 80% of AMRC member funded grants involving animals used rodents.
More information about the use of animals in research can be found on Understanding Animal Research (UAR)’s webpage ‘What is animal research?’.
The use of animals in research has contributed to many medical advances which now save and improve the lives of millions of people. These include vaccines, antibiotics, anaesthetics, and medicines for conditions such as diabetes, asthma, and high blood pressure. Although a wide range of scientific techniques can be used instead of animals, there are important questions that can still only be answered through research involving animals.
More information can be found in our briefing and on Understanding Animal Research (UAR)’s webpages on why we use animals in research.
AMRC member funded research only involves animals where there is no alternative and where there is a clear link between the research and advancing the understanding, prevention, or treatment of disease.
No charity decides to support research involving animals lightly and we understand that supporters, staff, and the public want to know why and how these decisions are made.
AMRC members funding research involving animals must use their expert review processes to reduce the use of animals in research, replace their use wherever possible and ensure that the welfare of the animals used is protected through housing, care and minimising their discomfort.
The 3Rs underpin and guide the responsible use of animals in research.
The 3Rs are:
Any researcher planning to use animals in their research must use the 3Rs to minimise the discomfort animals experience. Researchers work hard to find alternatives and, where there are none, they use the smallest number of animals possible, ensuring that these are looked after well and do not feel any preventable discomfort.
All AMRC member charities must:
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