Research involving animals
Almost every major breakthrough in human and veterinary medicine has depended on the use of animals to research, develop or test new therapies.
At this time, research involving animals remains an essential tool to increase our understanding of how human and animal bodies work, and how diseases can be prevented or treated.
Our position
We support the use of animals in research if researchers can show that it is legally, ethically and scientifically justified.
We want to encourage a more open dialogue between researchers and the public on:
- how and why animals are used in research
- how animal research is governed in the UK and the European Union
- how the 3Rs are put in place, and care and welfare is ensured.
We have guidelines in place for the researchers and organisations we fund. Read our use of animals in research policy.
Wellcome also supports Association of Medical Research Charity's statement on the use of animals in research.
See our analysis of Wellcome grants involving animal research 2020/21.
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Find out how Lalita Ramakrishnan is using zebrafish to tackle one of the top ten causes of death worldwide: tuberculosis.
What we're doing
Responsible research
Our joint statement with funders across Europe [PDF 493KB] commits to three principles for responsible research involving animals.
Openness in research
We're proud to have been one of the first signatories to the Concordat on Openness in Animal Research.
Signatories have made commitments to:
- be clear about when, how and why we use animals in research
- talk openly with the media and the public about our work
- provide opportunities for people to find out about research using animals
- report on progress annually and share our experiences.
We were actively engaged in the review of Section 24 of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 to move towards greater transparency on the use of animals in research. Read our consultation response [PDF 427KB].
Replacing, reducing and refining the use of animals in research
The 3Rs is a framework to make sure that scientific research involving animals is humane.
The 3Rs stand for:
- Replacement – using methods which avoid or replace the use of animals
- Reduction – minimising the number of animals used per experiment
- Refinement – minimising animal suffering and improving welfare.
Our funding is dependent on researchers meeting the 3Rs and we’ve embedded them throughout our grant processes.
We’re a long-standing supporter of the National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs). We send grant applications to them for independent review if the researcher is using:
- cats, dogs, equidae or non-human primates
- large numbers of any type of animal.
Our case studies [PDF 193KB] show a range of innovative projects that are helping to replace, reduce and refine the use of animals in research.
Contact us
If you have any questions, contact Beth Thompson
More information
- Science Media Centre – provides support for researchers who want to talk openly with the media and the public about their research involving animals
UK Regulation
Regulations set out in the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 require every UK researcher who wishes to carry out animal research to have three licences from the Home Office.
EU Regulation
European Directive 2010/63/EU, which promotes both animal welfare and high-quality scientific research, was adopted in 2010.
We support the directive and have objected to the Stop Vivisection initiative [PDF 2.02MB] which called for it to be repealed.
Our FAQs on European Directive 2010/63/EU [PDF 107KB] explain how and why animals are used in research and the legislation which governs this activity.