Research Methods in Life Sciences Commons^™

History Of Animal Experimentation Control In The U.K., Judith E. Hampson

International Journal for the Study of Animal Problems

Legislative control of the use of animals in experiments in the U.K. lies in the Cruelty to Animals Act of 1876. Animal Welfare groups and individuals in Britain have pressed for reform of this law since its inception 105 years ago. The British government has recently agreed to bring this legislation up to date. Any new or amended legislation could have far-reaching implications for laboratory animal welfare and the scientific community and is therefore of considerable importance both in this country and overseas. No proper appreciation of the problem would be possible without referencing the historical background. The Act of …