Research Animals

The Welfare of Animals in Laboratories

Laboratory animals contribute to medical breakthroughs, but their welfare during research is a major ethical concern requiring systematic improvement and reduction in use.

Key Facts

Approximately 100 million animals are used in global research each year
Mice and rats account for over 90% of laboratory animal use
The 3Rs framework — Replace, Reduce, Refine — guides ethical animal research globally
The EU requires severity classification of procedures and reporting of animal suffering
Advances in organoids, cell culture, and computer modeling are replacing some animal tests

Welfare Considerations

Laboratory animals face a range of welfare challenges: surgery, disease induction, social isolation (especially in rodents), barren housing, and lack of control over their environment. The 3Rs framework has driven significant improvements, but implementation is uneven globally. Refinements in housing (e.g., paired or group-housed rodents), enrichment, and anesthesia protocols can substantially reduce suffering even where animal use continues.

What You Can Do

Support organizations developing non-animal research methods (e.g., Johns Hopkins CAAT)
Advocate for mandatory 3Rs compliance reporting in research grants
Choose cosmetics and household products certified as cruelty-free
Donate to the Fund for the Replacement of Animals in Medical Experiments (FRAME)