Ministers have advised us that animal research continues to play a role in providing vital safety information for potential new medicines. It is worth remembering that, as a result of findings from animal studies, a large number of potential new drugs never get as far as being tested in humans. Some aspects of the toxicological assessment of new medicines cannot be adequately assessed in humans, and animal data may be the only kind available.
Without animal testing it is highly likely that a large number of potentially dangerous new medicines would be tested in healthy volunteers and patients in clinical trials, and ministers have advised us that this would be unacceptable. However, we’re also advised that animals are only used when there are no suitable alternatives, and by encouraging new cutting-edge approaches to science we will ensure that standards of animal welfare are improved.
You may be interested that the Government has made a commitment to the development of non-animal technologies which we understand have the potential to reduce the reliance on the use of animals, improve the efficiency of drug research and development and to deliver safer, cheaper, and more effective medicines to patients. Ministers have assured us that they continue to actively support and fund the development and dissemination of techniques that replace, reduce, and refine the use of animals in research.
Further you may be aware that the Government recently recognised in law that animals can feel pain and suffering through the Animal Welfare Act. The Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill, which is making its way through Parliament, looks to enshrine the recognition that animals are sentient in domestic law and contains provisions to create an Animal Sentience Committee with experts which would produce reports on how well policy decisions have paid all due regard to the welfare of animals.
