New figures: 192.1 million animals used in laboratories

Brussels, 24 April 2020 -

On the occasion of World Laboratory Animals Day, Cruelty Free International, of which GAIA is the representative in Belgium, publishes the most recent, the most precise and the most complete survey ever carried out on the number of animals used in the framework of scientific experiments in the world.
79.9 million animal experiments were carried out worldwide in 2015, the NGO estimates.
Or an increase of 37% in 10 years, compared to the previous survey, which has long served as a reference.
But the number of animal experiments does not equal the number of animals used for these experiments.
"192.1 million animals were used in 2015, down from 115.2 million in 2005," said GAIA president Michel Vandenbosch. "Shocking figures show that our governments must take concrete measures, with quantifiable targets, to sustainably reduce the number of animals used in the experiments.

Because developing and validating a growing number of alternative methods is clearly not enough. "
The number of animal experiments around the world continues to increase.
And although this increase is partly explained by the improvement of the forecasting model and the new reporting requirements within the European Union, there has been a significant increase in the number of animal experiments in the reporting countries.

Another shocking finding: since the last estimate by Cruelty Free International, which dates from 2005, the number of countries producing public statistics on the use of animals has not changed.
"Show a little transparency? Unfortunately, this often seems impossible when it comes to laboratory animals, "says Michel Vandenbosch.

76.9 million additional animals

When we look at the figures for the number of animals used in the experiments, we also see that the results are not very positive.
Compared to 2005, no less than 76.9 million additional animals were used in 2015 for research purposes.
Or 192.1 million animals worldwide.
In addition to animals used for experimental purposes, this figure includes animals killed for their tissue, animals used to maintain genetically modified strains of animals, and animals bred for experiments but not used or killed as surplus.
Often these animals are not included in national statistics.
According to the findings of Cruelty Free International, the top 10 animal users in 2015 are the following countries: China (20,496,670 experiments); Japan (15,033,305); United States (14,574,839); Canada (3,570,352); Australia (3,248,483); South Korea (3,110,998); United Kingdom (2,586,942); Brazil (2,179,621); Germany (2,044,894) and France (1,901,752).
China and the United States: first users of monkeys and dogs

For the first time, the total number of experiments on monkeys and dogs was also calculated.
It is estimated that in 2015, no less than 207,724 experiments with dogs and 158,780 experiments with monkeys were carried out.
The 10 countries to use the most dogs in the tests are: China, the United States, Canada, South Korea, Japan, Australia, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Germany and the 'India.
The top 10 users of monkeys are: the United States, China, Japan, Brazil, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, India, and South Korea.
Dr. Katy Taylor, Director of Scientific and Regulatory Affairs at Cruelty Free International, says: "Despite growing public concern and the availability of non-animal alternative methods, animals continue to be used in cruel and unreliable experiments everywhere in the world.
Our figures show that global use of animals in the laboratory has increased dramatically over a decade.
The fact that the total number of animals is dangerously close to 200 million a year should be a major cause for concern. "
"Experimental animal-free research must be written in the minds of researchers as an ethical duty, a priority and a necessary good," adds Michel Vandenbosch.
But the relevant ministers must also go beyond their declarations of intent.
To effectively reduce the number of animal tests, they must develop strategies, set concrete goals, and guide researchers through effective policies.
Researchers who swear by the use of laboratory animals will never change the game on their own, despite all their explanations. "

REMIND

April 24, 2020 marks the 41st World Day of Laboratory Animals, a day commemorating the millions of animals used in research around the world.