Take this quick quiz to test your knowledge of animal research issues. You may be surprised to learn the correct answers, and pleased to know there are things you can do to help.
1. How many vertebrate animals are estimated to be used each year in the United States in laboratory research? (get answer)
a) 10 million
b) 15 million
c) 20 million
d) Over 25 million
2. What is the most commonly used species of animal in research? (get answer)
a) Rats
b) Mice
c) Dogs
d) Rhesus monkeys
3. Where do animals in research laboratories come from? (get answer)
a) They are bred for laboratory use.
b) Class B dealers who get animals from newspaper advertisements, auctions and sometimes through a process called "pound seizure".
c) a & b
4. What happens to the majority of animals when the experiment for which they are being used has ended? (get answer)
a) They are used in more experiments
b) They can go to a sanctuary or can be adopted out.
c) They are euthanized.
5. Which statement is true about the position of The HSUS regarding animals in used in research and testing? (get answer)
a) The HSUS believes that research and testing on animals can and should be stopped immediately.
b) The HSUS believes that researchers should focus on reducing the number of animals used in experiments, refining experiments so animals experience little or no suffering, and replacing animals in experiments with non-animal alternatives.
c) The HSUS feels that animal research should continue as it is now.
6. True or False? Public opinion of animal research remains the same, regardless of the pain and distress the animals experience. (get answer)
7. True or false? The laws and government agencies protecting animals in research do not protect birds, mice, and rats that are bred for laboratory use. (get answer)
8. True or False? All companies and researchers put aside a substantial amount of money in order to find alternatives to animal use. (get answer)
9. What are the main animal research and testing issues that The HSUS deals with? (get answer)
a) Primates in research
b) Pain and distress in animal research
c) Product testing on animals
d) Animals used in the classroom
e) All of the above
10. True or False? There is little anyone can do to help research animals. (get answer)
1. How many vertebrate animals are estimated to be used each year in the United States in laboratory research? (Answer: d)
It is estimated that over 25 million vertebrate animals are used annually in research, testing, and education in the United States. Unfortunately, no accurate and comprehensive figures are available on how many animals are used—or for what purposes—in the United States or worldwide. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) does compile annual statistics on the number of dogs, cats, primates, rabbits, hamsters and guinea pigs (as well as some wild animals and, more recently, farm animals) used in research in the United States. For USDA statistics on animal use, see Animal Care Reports at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ac/publications.html.
2. What is the most commonly used species of animal in research? (Answer: b)
Animals used for research include (in decreasing order of frequency) mice, rats, birds, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, "farm animals" (such as pigs and sheep), dogs, primates, and cats. Frogs and fish are also widely used, but current usage statistics are unavailable. Click here for information on each species. It is important to note the most common laboratory animals—rats and mice bred for research, who make up 85–90% of all animals used—are not counted in the annual statistics that the USDA collects on the use of animals in the United States, nor are they covered under the Animal Welfare Act.
3. Where do animals in research laboratories come from? (Answer: c)
A majority of animals in laboratories are purpose-bred— that is, bred specifically for biomedical research and testing. Those who sell purpose-bred animals are categorized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as class A dealers. Some of the dogs and cats used in laboratories are purchased from brokers, otherwise known as class B dealers, who acquire the animals at auctions, from newspaper ads, or from various other sources including some animal shelters (a practice known as "pound seizure"). Pound seizure laws vary from state to state with a few states requiring shelters to give up their animals for research and some prohibiting the seizure of shelter animals for research. Some states have no laws at all, leaving it up to the individual shelter or locality. Click here to see our position statement on pound seizure. Finally, some animals in research are taken from the wild—including nonhuman primates, rodents, birds, and others.
4. What happens to the majority of animals when the experiment for which they are being used has ended? (Answer: c)
A majority of the animals used in experiments are euthanized (killed) during or after the experiment. (There are no accurate statistics available on exactly how many animals are euthanized in laboratories every year.) In some cases, animals are not euthanized, but die as a result of the research for which they were used. For example, the LD50 (lethal dose 50) test involves determining the dose of a substance that kills 50% of the animals tested. Some animals in laboratories, depending on the research protocol, can be used in additional experiments.
It is extremely rare that animals are either adopted out or placed into a sanctuary after research is conducted on them. In 2000, however, a national sanctuary system was established for chimpanzees who were used in research. Click here for more information on the national sanctuary system and the CHIMP Act.
5. Which statement is true about the position of The HSUS regarding animals in used in research and testing? (Answer: b)
Click here to see our position statements.
6. True or False? Public opinion of animal research remains the same, regardless of the pain and distress the animals experience. (Answer: False)
Opinion polls demonstrate that public support for animal research drastically declines when the animals experience pain and distress—even if there is the potential for human benefit. Please see page 7 at “Taking Animal Welfare Seriously" for additional information. The HSUS understands that some research on animals has benefited humans. However, not nearly enough attention or funding is put into finding alternatives to animal use, including those that will reduce the number of animals used, refine the research so that it causes less pain and distress, and replace the use of animals altogether. The ongoing reliance on animals must be questioned and challenged. The HSUS urges funding agencies as well as public and private biomedical research laboratories to place more resources into alternative methods.
7. True or false? The laws and government agencies protecting animals in research do not protect birds, mice and rats that are bred for laboratory use. (Answer: True)
Rats, mice and birds bred for research are not covered by the Animal Welfare Act, nor are they counted in the annual USDA statistics on animal use in the United States. There are two main laws that apply to animals in laboratories, the Animal Welfare Act and the Public Health Service Policy on the Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.
8. True or False? All companies and researchers put aside a substantial amount of money in order to find alternatives to animal use. (Answer: False)
Federal funding for alternatives has historically been abysmal. Some companies, however, have put substantial resources into finding alternatives. In the context of animal research, “alternatives” include not only the replacement of animals altogether, but reduction in the number of animals used and refinement of research so that it causes less pain, distress and suffering. Therefore, there are a number of alternatives currently available and can include something as simple as housing social animals in pairs rather than individually. Unfortunately, however, aggressive development and implementation of alternatives, particularly replacement alternatives, is a complex process and involves some inherent obstacles. First, there must be adequate funding and interest in the development of alternatives. Additionally, in some cases, an existing alternative must be validated—an expensive and time-consuming process—in order to be accepted by regulatory agencies and others; this is particularly true in regards to testing of chemicals and products.
Click here for more information about alternatives that are currently available. The information at this link is part of a document entitled An Overview of the Issues. See below for additional links to information on alternatives.
9. What are the main animal research and testing issues that The Humane Society of the United States deals with? (Answer: e)
Click on Current Projects to view a list of our priorities. This will give you an overview of how HSUS is working to improve the lives of animals used in research.
10. True or False? There is little anyone can do to help research animals. (Answer: False)
To learn more about the issues that affect animals in research, visit our Animals in Research homepage, which is frequently updated with the latest news. On the homepage you will also find a link to our Take Action page, which lists ways that you can actively help animals used in research.
