Animal research

The vital role of animals

Many of the treatments that save people with heart conditions would not have been discovered without animal research: pacemakers, beta blockers, heart transplants and defibrillators. Nine out of ten people agree that animal research aimed at reducing human suffering should be allowed, so long as researchers follow strict rules and the BHF supports that view.

When the BHF is deciding which heart research projects to fund, we scrutinise those which plan to use animals especially closely. All research carried out on our behalf strictly follows the three R's:

  • Reduce the number of animals used to as few as possible
  • Replace animal research with alternatives if these are available
  • Refine procedures to use the best possible techniques to enhance animal welfare.

Research proposals that involve the use of animals where suitable alternative approaches exit are not funded.

For more information on medical research: