University reaffirms commitment to greater openness about animal research

20th November 2018

The University of Sheffield has reaffirmed its commitment to greater openness about animal research as one of 10 world-leading UK universities to publish their research figures today (20 November 2018).

The new figures, published by Understanding Animal Research, show that the 10 institutions collectively conducted over one third of all UK animal research in 2017*. The 10 universities conducted 1.32 million procedures accounting for 35 per cent of the 3.79 million procedures conducted in Great Britain in 2017. Over 99 per cent of these were carried out on rodents or fish and, in line with national data, they were almost evenly split between experimental work and the breeding of genetically modified animals. This is the third year in a row that universities have come together to publicise their collective numbers and examples of their research. The University of Sheffield is committed to the '3Rs' of replacement, reduction and refinement. This means avoiding or replacing the use of animals where possible; minimising the number of animals used per experiment; and optimising the experience of the animals to improve animal welfare. All 10 universities are also signatories to the Concordat on Openness on Animal Research in the UK - a commitment to be more open about the use of animals in scientific, medical and veterinary research. The staff at the University of Sheffield's Bateson Centre have delivered more than 80 different outreach and widening participation events for children, young people and adults over the past 10 years to help raise awareness of the University's animal research. Visits to the Bateson Centre, which houses more than 50,000 zebrafish, give youngsters aunique opportunity to take part in a number of fascinating and hands-on events, including anatomy lessons and an insight into genetic engineering and fluorescent microscopy. Balancing science and clinical science they give members of the public a chance to ask questions and delve into the pioneering research conducted by leading scientists at the University of Sheffield. In 2016 a number of Sheffield's street artists were invited to come and meet the zebrafish and produce a piece of inspired art. These were then displayed across the city as part of Fesitval of the Mind, helping to spread awareness about the importance of animal research to more than 50,000 people. Professor Dave Petley, Vice-President for Research and Innovation at the University of Sheffield, said: -As part of our efforts to remain at the forefront of medical and scientific advances, which result in lifesaving treatment for people with chronic and degenerative diseases, we conduct a limited amount of research using animals. -This research contributes to ground breaking developments in understanding and treating major diseases such as cancer, deafness, heart disease, Parkinson's and other neurological conditions which devastate millions of lives every year. "Wherever possible the University of Sheffield is committed to using species of the lowest neuro-physiological sensitivity, such as zebrafish, and our scientists are fully committed to finding other alternatives to research which is currently dependent on animals." Wendy Jarrett, Chief Executive of Understanding Animal Research, which developed the Concordat on Openness, said: -The Concordat has fostered a culture of openness at research institutions up and down the country. "Institutions now provide an unprecedented level of information about how and why they conduct medical, veterinary and scientific research using animals. -Almost two-thirds of the university Concordat signatories provide their animal numbers openly on their websites accounting for almost 90 per cent of all animal research at UK universities. For more information about the Bateson Centre please visit: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/bateson/zebrafish/index For more information about Understanding Animal Research please visit: http://www.understandinganimalresearch.org.uk/ *The Home Office recorded 3.79 million completed procedures in 2017, 1.32 million of which were carried out at the top ten universities. A total of 1.90 million procedures were carried out across all universities in 2017, representing half of all procedures in Great Britain.