The use of animals in research

Deafness Research UK acknowledges valid concerns regarding the use of animals in medical research and is committed to avoiding the use of animals wherever possible.

We will not support research involving the use of animals if there is a viable, non-animal alternative and much of our research utilises a wide variety of non-animal methods, including test-tube and cell culture experiments and patient-based studies.

However, despite developments in areas such as cell culture and computer modelling, there are still occasions when our researchers will depend upon the use of animals to help us achieve our objectives – improving the prevention and treatment of deafness and other hearing related disorders and, ultimately, finding cures for these conditions.

A number of significant advances funded by the charity such as the isolation of genes responsible for various forms of inherited deafness and the discovery that certain sensory cells in the inner ear can regenerate, have only been possible through the use of animals.

UK legislation safeguarding the welfare of animals used in research is widely regarded as the tightest in the world and all applicants for Deafness Research UK funds must show that they are complying with these regulations.

They must also demonstrate that they are giving due consideration to the widely accepted principles of the 3Rs: reduction, refinement and replacement of the use of animals in experiments. They are required to show that their experiments will yield clear results using the minimum number of animals and with the least possible suffering.

Deafness Research UK is a member of the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC) and fully endorses the Association's position on the use of animals in research.