The University of Southampton uses animals in research, teaching, knowledge exchange and enterprise (KEE). The majority of animals are used in medical research. Some animals are used to teach biologists, zoologists, ecologists and those studying conservation and environmental sciences. The use of animals in KEE activities at the University of Southampton is covered by the same policies and procedures that apply for any of the research the university conducts.
Medical research is undertaken using animals at the University of Southampton, with the aim of developing treatments for human illnesses and diseases, or for understanding these better. Find some examples of the university's research on the following page here.
Sometimes such research turns out to have other applications too; for example, many treatments used by veterinarians to help our pets, farm, zoo and laboratory animals have come from human-focused medical research.
Research using animals carried out at the university is generally divided into research regulated by the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA) (which applies in the UK only) and research that is not regulated by ASPA (referred to as non-ASPA). The ASPA applies to all living vertibrates, other than humans and cephalopods (such as octopuses and squid), at specific life stages and used for research that is above the threshold for regulation. The 'treshold' is inserting a needle according to good veterinary practive - any procedure that may cause more pain or distress than this requires licensing under ASPA. Non-ASPA research includes procedures on all invertebrates (apart from cephalopods) or using immature life stages (such as fish larvae) or procedures that are below the threshold (like training and animal using rewards). Animal research carried out abroad is also non-ASPA research, but this may be regulated by other legislation in the UK or national laws on animal experiments.
The ASPA is based on the principle of the 3Rs: Replacement, Reduction and Refinement. Detailed information about the 3Rs is available from the National Centre for Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research . The ASPA also includes a harm-benefit analysis, in which the likely harms to animals must be weighed against the potential benefits of the research.
More information on our commitment and work towards the 3Rs at the University of Southampton, can be found here .
More information can be found on UK legislation relating to a broad spectrum of animal-related research from our external links page here.
Whatever the aims of the research, in addition to our legal responsibilities, we as humans have a moral and ethical obligation to treat each individual animal with respect and due regard for their welfare. The University of Southampton takes this obligation seriously.
The University of Southampton has a policy on the use of animals in research (which can be found on our policies page here).
The university is proud to have signed the Concordat on Openness on Animal Research in the UK and has an active and robust Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Body (AWERB).
Your Questions Answered
Is research using animals carried out at the University of Southampton?
Yes. Animals are used in some of the research conducted by the university. Some examples of the research the University has carried out using animals can be found here .
Why are animals used in research at the University of Southampton and why can’t alternatives be used?
Animals are only used when no other methods can address the research questions being posed and if a proposed project passes the harm-benefit analysis. It is a requirement of ASPA that animals are not used if a viable alternative is available. The university expects every effort to be made by its researchers to identify, replace and avoid animal use, from the planning stage and for the duration of all research projects regulated under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 .
What species of animals are used in research at the University of Southampton?
The university uses a variety of species in the research it conducts. Please find more information on our page for the numbers and types of animals used in procedures regulated under ASPA at the University of Southampton here.
Where do animals used in research at the University of Southampton come from?
The majority of mice are bred at the University of Southampton while other mice and Schedule 2 species are obtained from designated breeding or supplying establishments in the UK.
Different legislation applies to animals that are occasionally imported from other countries, the animal welfare and housing standards of these animals must be equivalent to those in the UK. Where the university conducts research abroad, researchers must comply with the legislation and guidelines of that country and standards must also be at least the equivalent to thoses in the UK.
Fish used in research studies are either wild caught, captive bred, or obtained from fish farms, other establishments, or public aquariums (depending on the species and study). All relevant licences and permissions must be in place before the animals are collected.
How are animals housed and cared for?
The majority of animals used in ASPA regulated research by the university are mice (around 95%). Most mice are housed together in IVC (individually Ventilated Cages) and some are housed together in conventional open top cages.
It is the responsibility of all staff involved in work using animals at the university to ensure optimal animal care and welfare are provided for the animals. Designated individuals have detailed responsibilities for the oversight of the care and welfare of animals under ASPA.
These include:
Named Animal Care and Welfare Officers (NACWOs) who are senior members of staff responsible for ensuring that animals are properly cared for and monitored day-by-day.
Animal technologists who undertake the husbandry and care of animals. All are trained and have experience and knowledge of the species they house in their units. They can advise and assist scientists on animal behaviour and welfare.
Named Veterinary Surgeon (NVS) who provides veterinary advise and support as well as ensuring compliance with ASPA. All facilities and staff have access to veterinary care and support round-the-clock if required.
All animals housed under ASPA by the university have welfare checks carried out by qualified staff at least once a day - every day of the year. Depending on study/project licence requirements animals may be checked more than one a day.
What happens to an animal that are seen suffering?
Animals used in research unfortunatly can and do suffer. The university is dedicated to minimising and alleviating this in our animals. If any animal is perceived to be experiencing pain or distress, the NACWO and or NVS will be informed and a decision will be made as to how to relieve the animal's suffering. It may be possible to give pain relief, or provide a heat pad, or to end the procedure. In some cases, the animal will be humanely killed.
Under ASPA, the level of suffering permitted within each procedure is limited to 'sub-treshold, 'mild', 'moderate', 'severe' or 'non-recovery (further information on these severity catagories can be found on our page here.
Projects that may cause 'severe' suffering are generally only licenced where there is an important medical benefit. Trained staff carry out welfare checks on all animals every day and there are additional checks in some studies. If mild, moderate or severe procedures approach the upper level of permitted suffering animals are humanley killed without delay or the regulator must be informed.
Is cosmetics testing on animals carried out at the University of Southampton?
No. It has been illegal to use animals to test cosmetic products or ingredients under UK law since 1998.
More information on this progressive ban can be found here.
UAR's myths and facts about animal testing
A number of common misconceptions and myths continue to surround the use of animals in scientific research. Understanding Animal Research (UAR) has produced a page to help understand the need for animal research in more detail here.
(Note: The above website is not set up, or features information provided and regulated by the University of Southampton. The university and it's AWERB accepts no responsibility for the contents featured on this website).