Extension activities
Legislation on the use of animals in research and testing
Investigate the changes to the revision of Directive 86/609 – the legislation regulating animal experiments across the EU.
- Ask the students to write a report, newsletter or news article to inform the public about the proposed changes and the actual changes to the Directive in 2009.
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Ask them to discuss:
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why the Directive was under review
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what changes were put forward and why
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what actual changes were made
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what changes are still needed and why.
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They could use the following links:
Things for students to think about and/or discuss
Should animals be used in research? Create four groups of ‘experts’ and laypeople, including:
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an RSPCA scientific officer
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a research scientist in a laboratory
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a person receiving treatment with a brand new drug
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a member of the public.
Ask each set of students to use the resources to put together some key arguments for or against the use of animals in research and experiments.
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Explain that they each need to be able to argue their points in another discussion group later.
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Create new groups with each of the different characters.
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Ask each group to debate the issue, staying in their role.
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After the debate create a continuum between these two sets of words – Animals should not be used in research and experiments, Animals should be used in research and experiments.
Ask them to come out of role and stand where their opinion lies.
The animals used in research and testing
Ask the students to find out how many establishments are licensed by the UK government’s Home Office to breed, supply or use animals in research, experiments or testing in the UK.
Ask them to create a display showing a giant graph of the numbers and types of animals used in research in the UK, using the link below.
The 3Rs
Ask the students to create a PowerPoint presentation about the 3Rs – Reduction, Refinement and Replacement.
How animals are used in research and testing
Ask the students to create a display to show the four ways in which animals are used in research and testing (see below) from the lesson resource Passion or compassion?
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Medical research
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Veterinary research
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Fundamental research
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Safety testing
You may also want them to include examples of specific experiments and details of the animal welfare issues each one presents.
Lifestyle conditions
Ask the students to write a persuasive piece of writing about whether it is acceptable to use animals in experiments and research and testing for drugs to treat ‘lifestyle conditions’ such as obesity and drug and alcohol misuse. They can use the information in the lesson resource What are the issues?