The impact of animal research can be felt from meningitis vaccines and treatments for leukaemia to the understanding of techniques which make organ transplants possible. Animal research has informed the management of diabetes in family pets and the prevention of respiratory disease in farm animals, among many other applications.
Our members believe in the value of properly conducted animal research and recognise the enormous contribution this research makes to human and animal medicine. We believe that the use of animals in research must strictly adhere to ethical guidelines and be reported with utmost transparency. To this end, the Veterinary Schools Council supports the work of the National Centre for the Replacement Refinement & Reduction of Animals in Research, whose ARRIVE guidelines play an essential role in ensuring the transparency of animal research.
Providing the public with information on the realities of animal research, such as on the numbers and types of animals used, and in what circumstances, is vital for raising awareness and combating myths over what the research entails. VSC supports and commends the work of Understanding Animal Research in achieving this.
For as long as animal research forms a part of so many of the treatments available for serious conditions in humans and animals, UK veterinary schools are committed to its proper and regulated use. The Veterinary Schools Council therefore joined organisations across the sector in signing the Concordat on Openness on Animal Research, becoming its 100th signatory in 2016.
