Queen Mary, University of London, has today (19 October) joined with 40 other organisations from across the life sciences sector in signing up to a declaration on openness on animal research.
The declaration was launched today at a briefing attended by David Willetts MP, Minister of State for Universities and Science, where the latest ipsos MORI poll on public opinion into animal research was released. The survey shows a slight fall in public support for research that uses animals. Whilst the majority of people still support the need for animals to be used in medical research where there is no alternative, the figures also show that a significant proportion of people want to know more about the reasons why animals are used and the strict conditions under which that use is regulated.
QM’s Professor Fran Balkwill, attending in her role as chair of the organisation Understanding Animal Research (UAR), spoke of UAR’s vision to achieve a broader understanding and acceptance of the case for the humane use of animals in biomedical research.
The signatories announced today include universities, charities, pharmaceutical companies and research councils. This group, led by UAR, will work together to develop principles of open communication as well as some practical steps and measurable objectives for a more transparent approach across the bioscience community to animal research.
The declaration and list of signatories can be viewed here on the UAR website.
Queen Mary, University of London’s statement of policy on research using animals is available here .
For media information, contact: