A report released by the Government has detailed the number of animals used in animal experiments in Great Britain in 2022.
Almost 2.75m animals were subjected to laboratory activities, figures that Animal Aid has described as 'alarming'.
The statistics outline that 12,651 were of the LD50-type - tests that Animal Aid said were "incredibly cruel" and involve animals being given increasing doses of a substance until half of them die.
Animal Aid is currently campaigning for an end to these tests in favour of a new totally humane, animal-free method, AcutoX, available and has directed people who support them with this aim to an on-line petition. (Visit endanimaltests.com to find out more and to sign the petition).
184,541 rats, described as being known for their intelligence, curiosity, and capacity for enjoyment, were detailed as having been harmed in laboratories. A statement from Animal Aid said that suffering inflicted on them was "unimaginable", and that rats were often used in LD50 tests, but are poisoned in order to try and discover how toxic a substance is to humans, despite the genetic differences between rats and humans.
2,683 dogs, 6 cats, 39 horses and 1,820 monkeys were used in experiments according to the report. Animal Aid said that almost all of the animals who are harmed in experiments will be killed afterwards so that their organs can be taken.
Animal Aid has been campaigning for an end to the LD50 Tests and has highlighted AcutoX, the groundbreaking test that has rendered LD50 tests obsolete. This innovative test, was developed by XCellR8 and is entirely vegan and cruelty-free. In 2021, 11,758 LD50-type tests were carried out, a statistic Animal aid described as "shocking".
The statement said that the figures released this year represented a distressing 7.6% increase on LD50-type tests on the previous year, and that the disturbing increase in the number of experiments being carried out only serves to intensify concerns about the regulatory framework that oversees these practices.
Campaign manager, Daisy Hall, said: “The thought of so many individual animals enduring the horrors of living, being harmed and then killed in laboratories is unimaginable. This is especially true considering the abundance of more advanced technologies that can bolster the nation's scientific standing while safeguarding human health. Animal Aid urges all individuals engaged in animal experiments to break away from archaic and cruel animal experiments and redirect their resources to innovative, human-relevant research. By embracing cutting-edge approaches, we can pave the way for scientific advancements and uphold the principles of ethical progress.”