UBC used 227,362 animals for research in 2012
The number of animals involved in research at the University of British Columbia has increased over the three years for which the postsecondary institution has released statistics.
Today (December 6), UBC published online its numbers for 2012. Last year, 227,362 animals were involved in 961 "research and teaching protocols". That's up from the 225,043 animals involved in research in 2011 and the 211,604 animals in 2010.
In 2012, rodents represented 58 percent of research animals, while fish comprised 30 percent, and reptiles and amphibians 10 percent. Birds, mammals, and marine mammals constituted less than one percent.
There's a few more details in the UBC news release. UBC has also added virtual tours of its animal research facilities to its website.
Comments
2 Comments
WTF
Dec 7, 2013 at 11:19pm
A Place of Animals?
stop ubc animal research
Dec 8, 2013 at 9:03am
UBC fails to disclose specifics as to species used, the source and fate of animals involved in its research, and why the numbers keep climbing. There is a universal trend away from conducting basic research on animals given the lack of predictive value of animal models - current technology allows far superior means of exploratory research.
Not disclosed in the report is how UBC has addressed the numerous violations listed in the 2010 assessment report from the CCAC. Is there better tracking of the animals yet? Why does the colony of monkeys at UBC continue to languish in desperate conditions despite having been moved to a "new and improved" facility? And where do the monkeys and other animals come from? They are paid for by the taxpaying public and as such we are entitled to full disclosure of their health, conditions, and ultimate destiny.