Experiments on animals drop but GM creations up

The latest official figures show a total of 3.79 million scientific experiments were carried out on live animals in the UK in 2017.

The overall number of tests dropped by nearly 4 per cent from the previous year, although those classed as causing “severe” suffering increased.

The statistics, released by the UK Home Office, show almost half of all experimental procedures were involved with creation or breeding of genetically altered animals – representing a jump of 37 per cent over the past ten years. The most commonly used animals were mice, fish and rats, but monkeys, horses, dogs and cats were also experimented on.

Anti-cruelty campaigners are calling for an end to “secrecy” over animal testing and a move to alternative techniques that do not require live animals.

Jan Creamer, president of the National Anti-vivisection Society, said: “With advanced modern methods being more accurate and relevant than animal tests, the UK government must do more to encourage researchers to adopt their use.

“A shift in policy and end to the secrecy surrounding animal tests is urgently needed to enable science to save lives – better for people and animals.”