Our statement
Anthony Nolan helps four people in need of a transplant a day, giving more people a second chance at life. But the charity won’t stop until all patients have access to the treatment they need, so many more survive.
While Anthony Nolan’s own researchers do not work with animals, as an active part of the international medical research community and a member of the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC) we recognise that animal research is crucial for the development of new treatments to help save lives. We support the AMRC’s position statement on the use of animals in research.
Animal research includes any research that uses animals to help study disease and develop new medical treatments. Animal research has helped scientists develop vaccines, antibiotics, inhalers, chemotherapy, surgical techniques, and organ transplants, to name just a few. Countless lives have been saved and continue to be saved thanks to animal research.
In the development of new medical treatments for patients, it’s the law that all new drugs are assessed for safety before they can enter human clinical trials. Experiments involving animals are often used to check that the treatment works and ensure its safety, to minimise the risk to patients.
Our researchers and scientists at Anthony Nolan do not directly work with animals, and Anthony Nolan does not currently fund research involving animals. However, we do work with other organisations who perform animal research themselves, where necessary.
In the UK, there are very strict regulations governing animal research. The use of animals in scientific procedures within the UK is regulated by the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA), administered and enforced by the Home Office’s Animals in Science Regulation Unit.
In the cases where we work with collaborators or clients who carry out animal research, we ensure they have the relevant licenses and approvals in place. They must also follow guidelines which include using alternatives (such as cell cultures or computer models) wherever possible, reducing the number of animals needed and applying the highest animal welfare standards. You can learn more about the ‘3Rs,’ the guidelines which UK animal researchers are encouraged to follow, here.
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Last updated: May 2025