Moves to improve the welfare of lab animals

Two initiatives to improve the welfare of laboratory animals have been announced by the Medical Research Council.

The MRC, which is committed to the use of animals in tackling health problems such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease, hopes to prompt new techniques and encourage uptake of best practice.

Extra funding will be available for research, development or knowledge-transfer work that could refine, reduce or replace animal use in academic medical research.

A new Centre for Standards in Animal Research will be launched later this year to develop consensus on and promote best practice in the use of laboratory animals, as well as providing training.