Centre of the Cell > Learn & play > Ethics > Animal experimentation

Animal experimentation

In the UK, all new medicines are tested on animals before they are tried in humans.

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Introduction

Medicines tested in animals can help millions of people.
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What is animal experimentation?

Animal experiments are used to test new treatments for diseases, e.g. new medicines or new surgical techniques.
picture of a patient given an injection

Why do scientific research in animals?

Animals provide living bodies which help scientists understand how diseases and treatments work.
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Is it right to do animal research?

The key ethical question is whether an animal life is worth less than a human life.