The Number of Animals Used in Research

The number of animals involved in research is often used by Animal Rights protesters as an indicator of suffering. Clearly, this is an unrealistic argument as the total number does not reflect the condition of an individual animal. However, it is interesting to look at the facts behind the different figures to gain some perspective on animal testing.

Animals benefit man in many ways - clothing, food, science, medicine and entertainment. The scope of animal use is not a justification in itself but it helps to put animal research into perspective. For example, each year in the United States 5 billion animals are used in the food industry compared to the 18 million used in research - a ratio of 294:1. In the UK the RSPCA used to destroy an average of 1000 unwanted or sick animals every month. The figure in the USA was nearer to 1.2 million a month.

Therefore, while still large, the number of animals used in research is not excessive by comparison with the food industry or the numbers of destroyed pets.

It is also helpful to look at the types of animals involved. The common misconception is that dogs and monkeys are the main animals used. In fact dogs and monkeys account for a very small part of the total number of animals involved.

In the last 30 years the annual number of animals in scientific research has halved.

Number of animals used in 2010

All organisations that use animals in research are required to record the number of animals used and submit this to the UK Home Office. The Home Office then compile these numbers and release the statistics annually.

Below are the most recently available numbers (2010):