News / Animals
Bristol University’s controversial forced swim tests could be banned
The University of Bristol could be forced by law to stop its forced swim tests which measure how long it takes for animals including guinea pigs, hamsters and gerbils to stop swimming to see how they cope with stress.
Dan Norris tabled a parliamentary question to the Home Office to ask when they plan to publish a timeline for ending the controversial tests.
As well as being the West of England metro mayor and MP for North East Somerset & Hanham, Norris is also chair of the board of trustees at the League Against Cruel Sports.
is needed now More than ever
Home Office minister, Dan Jarvis, replied to Norris’ question by saying that the government “intends to completely eliminate the use of the forced swim test”.
Jarvis added: “This will require the validation of suitable appropriate alternatives.”
Norris said: “Forcing frantic animals to swim for fear of drowning is horrifically cruel and it’s unnecessary. I am glad the minister has confirmed time is up for the forced swim test.
“I urge the University of Bristol to get on the front foot and use this opportunity to stop tormenting gentle animals in the name of ‘science’.
“The alternative is being shamed into taking action.”
There have been regular protests in recent years at the university’s continued use of the forced swim tests, with vice-chancellor Evelyn Welch previously saying that “wherever possible we rely on non-animal methods” while carrying out research but “when these are not suitable to address the scientific gaps, and therefore only when absolutely necessary, we use animals in research to improve our understanding of health and disease in both humans and animals”.
A University of Bristol spokesperson said: “We recognise there are differing views about the use of animals in research, including some concerns around whether it is ethical.
“The University follows Home Office guidelines and is committed to using non-animal alternatives, but when these are not suitable to address scientific gaps in knowledge, we use animals in order to improve our understanding of health and disease – this includes neuroscience and diseases associated with mental health.
“The forced swim test or forced swimming are experimental procedures used by researchers at the University of Bristol to understand the neurobiology of stress.
“The test, for which no non-animal alternatives exist, has been approved as a valid model to study the processes underpinning how the brain deals with and adapts to stressful challenges.
“Increasing our understanding of this is important because stress is known to contribute to the development of major depression and many other illnesses.
“How we respond and adapt to stressful events in our lives is crucial for the development of new treatments for stress-related disorders.
“We do not use forced swimming procedures at Bristol to model depression or to screen antidepressants and no mice or rats have ever drowned or been swum to exhaustion.
“We are committed to open and ongoing dialogue about how and why animals are used in research.
“Details relating to the numbers of animals used annually and case studies illustrating the types of research undertaken are provided on the university’s website.
“We also keep up to date with the latest thinking on all aspects of research using animals – including advances in welfare – and have robust and thorough ethical review processes in place for every project.”
Main photo: Martin Booth
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