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Five British Labs Use Horses in Experiments, Claims Animal Rights Group
Wed, 04/06/2016 - 3:11pm
Seth Augenstein, Digital Reporter
Five laboratories in the United Kingdom have been using retired racehorses and ponies in medical experiments, an animal-rights group claims.
More than 8,000 experiments were carried out on the animals in 2014, according to Cruelty Free International, a group formerly known as the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection.
The experiments have previously involved applying sources of pain to measure the efficacy of painkillers on the animals. Other potential uses are surgically removing glands and testing different in utero effects on unborn foals, according to the animal-rights group.
However, no allegations of illegality were made by the organization.
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We believe the public will be horrified to learn that these majestic animals are subjected to such cruel experiments here in the UK, said Michelle Thew, the chief executive of CFI. Just as disturbing is the revelations that there are no restrictions regarding where the laboratories can obtain these animals.
The laboratories the University of Cambridge, the Royal Veterinary College, the Animal Health Trust, the University of Bristol, and the University of Liverpool all are able to acquire the horses from private owners, like racing enthusiasts and farmers. This is different than other animals used in UK research, which need to be expressly bred for research purposes.
A University of Cambridge spokesperson released a statement to Laboratory Equipment that the school was in compliance and had stopped using horses for scientific testing.
"We place good welfare at the center of all our animal research and aim to meet the highest standards, they stated. "We only use a small number of horses in research, and have used none since those reported in our 2011 Home Office return.
"Animal research plays an essential role in our understanding of health and disease and in the development of new medicines, antibiotics, vaccines and surgical techniques for both human and veterinary medicine," the school added.
Last year, the European Commission rejected a petition that asked for the complete halt of animal testing in the European Union.
In the United States, the number of animals used in experiments that are protected under the Animal Welfare Act has reached a historic low. However, the number of mice and other non-protected animals has grown exponentially over several years.
Five British Labs Use Horses in Experiments, Claims Animal Rights Group
Wed, 04/06/2016 - 3:11pm
Seth Augenstein, Digital Reporter
Five laboratories in the United Kingdom have been using retired racehorses and ponies in medical experiments, an animal-rights group claims.
More than 8,000 experiments were carried out on the animals in 2014, according to Cruelty Free International, a group formerly known as the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection.
The experiments have previously involved applying sources of pain to measure the efficacy of painkillers on the animals. Other potential uses are surgically removing glands and testing different in utero effects on unborn foals, according to the animal-rights group.
However, no allegations of illegality were made by the organization.
Which innovative new product has been a game-changer this year? Tell us & win! Learn More
We believe the public will be horrified to learn that these majestic animals are subjected to such cruel experiments here in the UK, said Michelle Thew, the chief executive of CFI. Just as disturbing is the revelations that there are no restrictions regarding where the laboratories can obtain these animals.
The laboratories the University of Cambridge, the Royal Veterinary College, the Animal Health Trust, the University of Bristol, and the University of Liverpool all are able to acquire the horses from private owners, like racing enthusiasts and farmers. This is different than other animals used in UK research, which need to be expressly bred for research purposes.
A University of Cambridge spokesperson released a statement to Laboratory Equipment that the school was in compliance and had stopped using horses for scientific testing.
"We place good welfare at the center of all our animal research and aim to meet the highest standards, they stated. "We only use a small number of horses in research, and have used none since those reported in our 2011 Home Office return.
"Animal research plays an essential role in our understanding of health and disease and in the development of new medicines, antibiotics, vaccines and surgical techniques for both human and veterinary medicine," the school added.
Last year, the European Commission rejected a petition that asked for the complete halt of animal testing in the European Union.
In the United States, the number of animals used in experiments that are protected under the Animal Welfare Act has reached a historic low. However, the number of mice and other non-protected animals has grown exponentially over several years.