ALTEX :: Alternatives to Animal Experiments

2006, VOLUME 3

Austria: Fewer experimental animals used in 2005

Helmut Appl

zet - Zentrum für Ersatz- und Ergänzungsmethoden zu Tierversuchen, Wien, Austria

SUMMARY

The number of animals used in experiments in Austria decreased in 2005 by 10%. This overall positive development must be regarded critically, as the number of big mammals, e.g. cows, used for experimental purposes has increased substantially and as a lot of relevant and necessary data, e.g. on the use of transgenic animals, is still not being collected. The information given in the Austrian statistics on animals used for scientific purposes is inadequate and requires revision.

Keywords: statistics, laboratory animal use, fundamental research, mammals