The Urology Foundation Policy on Animal Testing in Research
What is animal testing?
In the context of our work, animal testing means using animals in order to gain a greater understanding of disease and therefore establish new methods to treat conditions. Animals are usually used in projects aimed at determining toxicity, dosing and the efficacy of drugs before advancing to human clinical trials.
Our position
The Urology Foundation follows the policy of the Association of Medical Charities (AMRC) with regards to animal testing. This can be found here
We support the principle of using animals in research when it is necessary to advance understanding of health and disease and to develop new treatments. This research only takes place where there is no alternative available.
‘Replacement, reduction and refinement’
The AMRC themselves follow the guidelines set out by the government. HM Government is committed to the ‘3Rs of the use of animals of medical research.
These are replacement, reduction and refinement.
In accordance with the Home Office requirements, animals are replaced whenever possible, the minimum number of animals needed for the results are sought, and for the animals that are used, their suffering is minimised to as great an extent as possible.
It is through the enactment of this ‘3Rs’ principle that we are capable of ensuring high standards of animal welfare.
We recognise, alongside all members of the AMRC, that animal testing is a controversial and much debated issue. It is for this reason that we use expert peer review to ensure that we fund only the best research where the benefits to health outweigh any harm to animals, and when the information gained from them would have been impossible to establish otherwise.
Sources and References
https://www.amrc.org.uk/position-statement-on-the-use-of-animals-in-research
https://www.gov.uk/research-and-testing-using-animals
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/consolidated-version-of-aspa-1986
