UK Scientists Pledge to be More Open about Animal Research

UK scientists have agreed to and signed a pledge to be more open about the nature of their animal research experiments.

The Concordat on Openness on Animal Research was published Wednesday after lengthy negotiations among scientists, universities, medical charities, drug firms, journalists and members of the public.

Although it covers activities in the United Kingdom only, it was signed by 72 organizations based in Britain and overseas, according to Reuters.

"This widespread support for openness demonstrates the change in attitude we have seen from the life science sector over the last few years," Geoff Watts, who drew up the agreement, said in a news release.

A BBC News report notes that the fear of being targeted by animal rights extremists has delayed such openness by the scientific community. But they have been working since 2012 in overcoming this hurdle.

Under the stipulations of the Concordat, signatories agree to:

1. Be clear about when, how and why we use animals in research.

2. Enhance our communications with the media and the public about our research using animals.

3. Be proactive in providing opportunities for the public to find out about research using animals.

4. Report on progress annually and share our experiences.

Communication about animal research "should provide accurate descriptions of the benefits, harms and limitations of research, be realistic about the potential outputs of such research and be open about its impact on animal welfare and the ethical considerations involved", the authors add.

According to Reuters, some 4.1 million experiments were carried out on animals in Britain in 2012. An estimated 74 percent of them involved mice.

Scientists use animals in medical, veterinary and basic research to develop medicines and other treatments for humans and animals, and to understand biological processes.

But some are not so convinced that Concordat members can be taken at their word.

"However, this is simply transparency on their terms. The Concordat is choosing to give what they want to give," Michelle Thew, chief executive of British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection said in statement, accoridng to BBC News