Quick facts about animal
research
Number and kinds of animals needed
The Office
of Technology Assessment estimates that 17-23 million animals
are used in the United States for research every year.1
The vast majority of these – about 95% – are
rats and mice specifically bred for research. In 2000, there
were 69,516 dogs and 25,560 cats used in research.2
By comparison, wildlife biologists estimate that over
one million animals are killed every day
by automobiles – over 365 million per year. 3
Dogs, cats, and non-human primates combined
account for less than 3/4 of a percent of the total and
their numbers has been declining for nearly 30 years. The
number of dogs used in biomedical research has declined
67% since 1973, and the number of cats used in biomedical
research has declined 63% since 1973. 4
The number of dogs and cats used
is declining
Source: USDA Annual Report 2000
Pain and distress |
Most animals
do not experience significant pain or distress
Source: USDA Annual Report 2000
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The majority of animals used in biomedical research
do not experience significant pain or distress.
According to the 2000 USDA Annual
Report, 63% of animals experienced slight or momentary
pain, such as an injection. Twenty-nine percent of
the research procedures employed anesthesia and postoperative
painkillers. In seven percent of the procedures, neither
anesthesia nor pain medication could be used, as they
would have interfered with research results.
5 However, when this is the case, pain is
minimized as much as possible.
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The
investment in animal research
In 2000, about $45 billion was spent in
the United States for biomedical research.6
This figure includes all research, not only research
with animals, and it includes both government and private
funding. By comparison, Americans spent $1,299.5 billion
on health care in the year 2000.7
In other words, for every dollar spent on health care, three
and a half cents were spent on research.
Economists estimate that the increase in
life expectancy from the 1970s and 1980s alone was worth
$57 trillion to Americans. The value of improvements in
the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases
alone is estimated to be $31 trillion. 8
The contribution of animal research to these savings
is unquestionable. A report by the Lasker Foundation
concluded that Americans save $9 billion every year
from the development of lithium as a treatment for
bipolar disorder, development for which animal research
was crucial. A $56 million research program on testicular
cancer has yielded a 91% cure rate, and annual savings
of $166 million. 9
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Scientists are pleased that the small investment
in animal research yields improved treatments and cures
that save money. But far more rewarding is the knowledge
that animal research saves lives.
References
1. U.S. Congress,
Office of Technology Assessment, Alternatives to Animal
Use in Research, Testing, and Education (Washington, DC:
U.S. Government Printing Office, OTA-BA-273, February 1986).
http://govinfo.library.unt.edu/ota/Ota_3/DATA/1986/8601.PDF
2. USDA Animal Care
Report, 2000. http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ac/awrep2000.pdf
3. Wall Street Journal,
August 1, 2002. "In the Headlights: As Man and Beast
Clash on Highways, Both Sides Lose." Page A1.
4. USDA Animal Care
Report, 2000. http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ac/awrep2000.pdf
5. USDA Animal Care
Report, 2000. http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ac/awrep2000.pdf
6. Lasker Foundation,
Exceptional Returns: The Economic Value of America's Investment
in Biomedical Research, 2000. http://www.laskerfoundation.org/reports/pdf/exceptional.pdf
7. National Center
for Health Statistics. Health, United States, 2002. http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/hexpense.htm
8. Lasker Foundation,
Exceptional Returns: The Economic Value of America's Investment
in Biomedical Research, 2000. http://www.laskerfoundation.org/reports/pdf/exceptional.pdf
9. Lasker Foundation,
Exceptional Returns: The Economic Value of America's Investment
in Biomedical Research, 2000. http://www.laskerfoundation.org/reports/pdf/exceptional.pdf
Updated Feb 14, 2003
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