The use of Animals in
Medical Research

Our Position

At Kidscan Children’s Cancer Research, we understand that the use of animals in medical research can be a difficult and sensitive subject. However, we also recognise that in order to further our understanding of childhood cancer and to find safer treatments for children diagnosed with cancer, animal research may be required.

Currently all new medicines in the UK, EU and USA are required by law to use animals during development and safety testing. The use of animals in medical research is strictly controlled and is only used when there are no non-animal alternatives available. Legislation typically only allows animals to be used in medical research where the potential benefits of the work are likely to outweigh the effects on the animals concerned.

At Kidscan, we do not carry out research ourselves, instead we award grants to institutions and individuals who carry out research projects across the UK. We only fund projects and institutions that abide by strict ethical and legal frameworks for the use of animals in research. This is assessed during the application process for all grant holders.

We’re committed to reducing the use of animals in research and actively favour the use of non-animal experimental approaches in research wherever possible. We support AMRC's statement on the use of animals in medical research and are committed to the ‘3R’ principles:

• Replace where possible the use of animals with other lab techniques
• Refine the use of animals to minimise their suffering
• Reduce the number of animals used to the minimum

We are also support the Concordat on Openness in Animal Research which commits signatories to greater openness around their animal research communications. Signatories to the Concordat have agreed to be more open about their use of animals in research, and to abide by the following four commitments:

• we will be clear about when, how and why we use animals in research;
• we will enhance our communications with the media and the public about our research using animals;
• we will be proactive in providing opportunities for the public to find out about research using animals;
• we will report to the Concordat on progress annually and share our experiences.