Public Attitudes to Animal Research

Question 1

What do we know about public awareness?

Answer 1

• 2/3 don’t feel well informed
• 9/10 haven’t heard of 3Rs
• Prefer to get info from TV
• Vets = most trusted source (>uni>animal protection organisations> knowledgeable people>NHS)
• 4/10 think cosmetic testing allowed
• TV > Web = Newspapers > Social Media > Radio >None. 29% Don’t want more information

Question 2

What do we know about public acceptance?

Answer 2

2/3 accept for medicine when no alternative
-> Dependent on purpose and context
Younger people tend to accept animal research less/care most about animal suffering
Accept for harming people > harming animals > harming plants
50% believe animals only used for life-threatening or debilitating disease