How is the use of animals in research regulated?

The use of animals is not undertaken lightly and it is strictly regulated by the government. Both the potential scientific and medical benefits of the research, and the possible suffering of the animals used, are weighed up carefully before any animal research project can proceed.

Research involving animals is carried out under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 under Project Licences granted for specific programmes of work, and under Personal Licences, which must be held by suitably qualified and specifically trained individuals.

Find out more about the use of animals in scientific research below:

• Undersanding animal research.
• Why animals are used in research.
• More information about the hows and whys of animal research.