The animal rights group, Vivisection Exposed, protested Imperial College London in early March, for the university’s use of animal testing.
Vivisection, otherwise known as animal-testing, is the practice of testing on live animals for experimentation or scientific purposes.
Though testing on animals for cosmetic purposes has been banned in the UK since 1998, testing on animals for scientific purposes is still allowed.
In 2023, 2.68m scientific procedures involving living animals were carried out in Britain — the lowest figure since 2001. The majority were for cancer, nervous system and immune system treatments.
In its official policy on animal testing, Imperial College London has said:
“Only a small percentage of medical and biological research involved the use of animals. That part remains vital, however, to further the development of treatments or cures for medical conditions that blight or destroy the lives of humans – and animals.”
They added that their animal testing is in line with the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, which regulates harm and distress faced by animals being tested on.
ICL is one of many universities that conduct animal testing.
The government is moving to phase out animal testing. In January 2025, MP Steve Race introduced the Animals in Research Bill which aims to ban animal testing in medical research. The Bill will go through its second reading in July 2025.
