Facts & expertise

The purpose and usefulness of scientific methods must be continuously evaluated and questioned. The twin needs of scientific progress and ensuring the safety of newly developed drugs must be balanced against the welfare of animals which make these advances possible. As the research process is not well-understood by non-scientists, practices can easily be misunderstood or misrepresented, calling the ethics of scientific practice into question. Independent expert inquiries and investigations ensure that biomedical research is scientifically valid and in the public interest. They review best practice for animal welfare, and how research practice makes use of the most up-to-date methods and technology.