February 13, 2012

leading medical science institutions comment on updating UK law on animal research

The SMC held a background briefing on the transposition of a European Directive on animal research into UK law, and leading medical institutions provided additional comments.

Sir Mark Walport, Director of the Wellcome Trust, said:

“The UK is one of the best places in the world in which to conduct life sciences research, and animals play a necessary role in this research, helping us better understand health and disease. Excellent research is only possible with the highest standards of animal welfare. The adoption of the European Directive provides us with the opportunity to uphold these high standards, but also to reduce unnecessary red tape that can hold back important research, so that essential new treatments can be developed more quickly.”

Dr Tony Peatfield, Director of Corporate Affairs at the Medical Research Council, said:

“The use of animals in medical research remains essential for us to develop new and better treatments that save lives. The UK medical research sector has exceptionally high standards of animal welfare and incorporation of the EU Directive into UK law provides an opportunity to review current regulations. The highest welfare standards must be maintained while at the same time allowing high quality research to proceed unimpeded by excessive bureaucracy. As a member of the BioScience Coalition, we look forward to working with the Home Office to ensure the outcome is positive for both animal welfare and UK”

Professor Sir John Tooke, President of the Academy of Medical Sciences, said:

“UK expertise in animal research is essential to life science discoveries that improve human health and combat disease.

“Our animal research regulation is amongst the strictest in the world – it rightly ensures that animal welfare is protected, and that high standards of safety and ethics are maintained. These standards underpin excellent research, and are welcomed by our scientists who work to continually improve the models and techniques they use.

“Whilst maintaining these UK strengths, the transposition of the European Directive is an opportunity to promote consistency across Europe on these important matters, and to ensure regulation provides for future advances in scientific research.”