Research involving animals - 27 April 2015
A Cardiff University spokesperson said: "All of our research involving animals is aimed at the alleviation of human and veterinary disease through the advancement of medical, dental, biological and veterinary understanding. Research conducted at Cardiff University using psycho active drugs on mice and rats such as amphetamine and apomorphine involve studies investigating areas such as neurodegenerative diseases and drug addiction.
"Our research work developing new cell based therapies for diseases such as Parkinson's and Huntington's disease is widely considered to offer the best prospect of achieving major advances in cell repair in these major human neurodegenerative diseases, offering new avenues of hope for patients and their families. The work is also generating data that is directly relevant to cell therapy programmes elsewhere in stroke, dementia, and spinal cord injury.
"In addition, our greater understanding of the psychological and neurochemical processes involved in the transition to compulsive drug-taking has the potential to inform therapeutic approaches to treating drug addiction. We strongly consider that such studies are ethical, necessary and socially justified when undertaken under the strict guidelines optimising animal welfare, and using methods designed to minimise pain or suffering.
"The study of animals remains essential. All animal-related research work at Cardiff is carried out under the strict conditions imposed by UK legislation including stringent ethical scrutiny. We are fully compliant with and support the intention and purpose of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.
"Our research animals are maintained at the highest standards and used in minimum numbers. Cardiff University is fully committed to the principle of the 3Rs and wherever possible the use of animals is avoided and alternative methods are employed.
"Cardiff University is committed to providing open and transparent information about our research involving animals and our standards of animal care and welfare. In May 2014 we signed the Concordat on Openness on Animal Research in the UK."