Statistics released by the University of Nottingham show that a 25 per cent increase in animal experimentation on its campus, up from 23,095 in 2018 to 28,862 in 2019.
Animals included in experiments include mice, rats, guinea pigs, and ferrets.
Campaigners argued that guinea pigs are exposed to high-pitched, loud noises for up to an hour inside make-shift sound-proofed cages to induce tinnitus.
The campaigners also claimed that mice and rats were placed on hot burning plates to test the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug – ibuprofen developed by Boots.
Ayrton Cooper, a spokesperson for the Animal Justice Project , states “Nottingham University animal experiments have risen a staggering 25 percent in a year.”
“Most, if not all, of this research falls under the “basic research” category – which means it needs have no direct benefit to human health,” he continued.
“We believe the public will be shocked to learn that this university is inflicting suffering on guinea pigs and other animals, and that Nottingham students will be unaware of animals even being housed on campus.”
In a statement, the university says “all animals are kept in the best possible environment to ensure their health and wellbeing.
“They are typically housed in cages or pens filled with bedding and nesting materials and additional play items to prevent boredom.
“The cages are cleaned and changed frequently to maintain a healthy living environment for the animals.”
“Animals are usually housed in groups to allow for normal social interaction and are handled frequently by staff.”
“This ensures they are used to people, making it easier for staff to check they are in good health.”
Jordan Stephen Candeias, an animal right activist, said, “We strongly believe that the animal models are completely ineffective… animals react completely differently to drugs in the way we do.”
He also said that drugs tested successfully on animals might have side effects on human being.
“We now have human volunteers, computer models, tissue samples, organ donors and biochips…so many different ways [that are] more effective without harming animals,” said Jordan.
The university says they are actively engaged in the development of a number of alternative methods such as computer modelling, tissue culture, cell and molecular biology, and research with human subjects.
By Qing Na
All images credit: Qing Na