The Law

The law in Britain protects animals from unnecessary use in scientific experiments. Animal experiments are only permitted if the work cannot be done any other way.

This requirement is part of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, which came into force on 1 January 1987. This Act implements, and in some ways exceeds, the requirements of the European Directive EU 86/609/EEC. On the other hand, there are laws that require animal experiments to take place, for example the Medicines Act of 1968.

The 1986 Act covers all vertebrate animals - fish, birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles - and one invertebrate - the octopus. It regulates scientific procedures that are likely to cause pain, suffering, distress or lasting harm. Many of these regulated procedures are the same as those seen every day in surgeries and hospitals, both human and veterinary. Nevertheless, even though taking a blood sample or giving a dose of a new medicine may appear routine, there is always the possibility for an animal to become distressed. Animal technicians work hard to make this as rare an occurrence as possible.

The regulatory system set up the 1986 Act is run by the Home Office. It covers who can perform animal experiments, where they can do them, and what they can do. Thus, no recently-graduated scientist can work with animals until she or he has been trained for the specific procedures necessary. No company or university can run a laboratory for animal experiments unless it has approved accommodation and veterinary support for the animals. Nor can a research project start until the Home Office accepts the potential benefits justify any distress or suffering that might be caused to the animals.

If it is agreed there are no alternatives, then scientists must use the least number of animals and keep suffering to a minimum (for example by pain relief). Cats, dogs and primates can only be used if another species is not suitable. Great apes, such as chimpanzees, are never used in the UK. Under the law, the scientists who have the licences to carry out the experiments have the main responsibility for the welfare of the animals in their care. In addition, every licensed laboratory has to have a senior person (the certificate holder) whose job is to ensure that it complies with the law. Every laboratory must also have a named veterinary surgeon and a named animal care and welfare officer who are there to look after the welfare of the research animals.

There are laws and regulations in Britain that require animal experiments, as well as control them. For the safety testing of medicines, it was the Medicines Act of 1968 that was the primary legislation. The Medicines Act was brought in after the Thalidomide tragedy. No pre-testing of Thalidomide in pregnant animals meant its horrific side effects were not detected until after it started to be prescribed. The Medicines Act addressed that issue, medicines are now tested in pregnant animals and there has been no repetition.

The Medicines Act has been largely superseded by European legislation and internationally agreed guidelines that are bringing different countries' requirements into line. Details of the European requirements are contained in the Community code relating to medicinal products for human use (Directive 2001/83/EC).