Scottish universities among top animal testers in the UK

Scotland’s University of Edinburgh and University of Glasgow carried some of the highest number of animal tests in the United Kingdom last year, according to figures from Understanding Animal Research (UAR), writes Joe Scotting for The National.

UAR published a list of the 10 UK organisations that carried out the highest number of animal procedures in 2023. The figures show that the University of Edinburgh carried out the fifth highest number of animal tests at 139,881. The University of Glasgow ranks ninth at 102,089 tests.

Topping the list is the University of Cambridge at 223,787. The top 10 organisations listed represent 54% of all animal testing for scientific research conducted in the UK. The figures reflect animals used in medical, veterinary and scientific research. More than 99% were carried out on mice, fish and rats and 82% were classified as causing pain equivalent to, or less than, an injection.
Full report on The National site