{"id":33863,"date":"2016-12-05T11:24:40","date_gmt":"2016-12-05T11:24:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.jomec.co.uk\/altcardiff\/?p=33863"},"modified":"2016-12-05T11:24:40","modified_gmt":"2016-12-05T11:24:40","slug":"in-depth-animal-justice-in-cardiff","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/2016\/12\/05\/in-depth-animal-justice-in-cardiff\/","title":{"rendered":"In depth: Animal justice in Cardiff?"},"content":{"rendered":"

An exploration into the thousands of animal experiments taking place on your doorstep<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Picture having your spine crushed. Now, imagine being blinded by chemicals that irritate your skin and leave you in excruciating pain for hours at a time. This is the life of an animal restrained and forced into scientific testing for the benefit of us, humans.<\/p>\n

Animal testing is a long-established method of research; exploring and testing new ways to progress human health in the form of medical anaesthetics, bone replacements, life support systems and organ transplants, to name a few. Universities, such as Cardiff<\/a>, are key hubs for animal testing; which has attracted strong opinions in a local scientific and welfare debate.<\/p>\n

According to the 2015 Home Office report<\/a>, detailing annual animal testing statistics, universities made up 48% of total procedures in the UK \u2013 that\u2019s 1.98 million tests on living creatures.<\/p>\n

The necessity of such procedures is under heavy criticism from local, and national, protest groups.<\/p>\n

\"UK

Furry fury<\/strong><\/p>\n

One group opposing animal testing in the UK is Animal Justice Project<\/a> (AJP).<\/p>\n

Rachel Ward, AJP spokesperson, is rallying support for the group\u2019s new campaign: Campus without Cruelty<\/a>, which aims to hold universities to account for high animal testing figures and encourage them to reduce the number.<\/p>\n

Cardiff University released an open report<\/a> addressing animals in research in September, disclosing figures.<\/p>\n

In regards to Cardiff, she says, \u201cCardiff University falls into the category of excessive animal research. Last year alone over 52, 000 animals were used in cruel studies there, such as those involving subjecting animals to severe and lethal trauma.\u201d<\/p>\n

Staged protests and demonstrations against testing procedures in university labs are frequent outside the university\u2019s main building.<\/p>\n

Campus without Cruelty began its campaign in Cardiff, receiving 750 engagements on Facebook, with 450 shares. The campaign\u2019s latest demonstration took place at University College London on 2 December. The event attracted the attention of over 1000 people on Facebook alone.<\/p>\n

Animal Aid<\/a>, another group against animal testing, claim to have uncovered some of these \u201ccruel\u201d studies taking place in the UK.<\/p>\n

They state that toxicity tests are a common form of research; these tests involve animals being force-fed chemical substances through a tube, or rubbed on a patch of shaved skin. In some of these tests animals are known to die from poisoning.<\/p>\n