Understanding how science works means thinking about scientific ethics or 'rights and wrongs'. Animal research is one area of science where many people disagree about what is right and what is wrong and why.
What are the arguments for and against animal researchClick here to learn more What "R" you watching? - Watch videos of people working in animal research to find out about the 3R's Myths & facts
For every animal used to test a medicine 15 people are used.
More than 77% of research animals are rats and mice.
It takes about 15 years to develop a new medicine.
Just about every medicine that you have ever used has been tested on animals.
The law says you can't use a research animal if there is any alternative.
No chimpanzees, gorillas or other great apes can be used in research (except for human beings, of course).
No animals can be used to test cosmetics in the UK.
The government has to approve every experiment using animals in the UK.
All research animals are looked after by a trained vet who is available 24/7.
Animal research facilities are inspected on average every month. The inspectors can go anywhere and arrive without warning.
The number of animals used for research has fallen by about a third since 1970.
Three licences are needed for every animal experiment.Next fact