Frequently asked questions

The Open University uses animals in research only where no alternatives are available and we always look for ways to reduce the numbers of animals used. However, until effective alternative models are available, some animals will continue to be needed in research. We follow strict guidance and regulations concerning the welfare of animals we use. On those occasions where research involves pain, suffering or distress to the animals, our aim is to alleviate or minimise that pain, suffering or distress.

Our research is scrutinised by our Animal Ethics Committee (AEC), whose membership includes academics and experts in animal care and welfare. The AEC reviews research applications and decides whether our research is significant enough to justify animal use and that due consideration has been given to the welfare of animals.

Scientists at The Open University (OU) may carry out both Home Office licensed research and non-regulated research that does not fall under the Animal (Scientific Procedures) Act. All regulated research is conducted thorugh a host institution and the OU no longer holds its own Establishment Licence. Non-regulated research includes research on animals’ interaction with their environments and on the use of technology to improve the lives of animals and humans.

In the past, the number of animals used varied considerably between years, as it depended on the projects that were being undertaken, which in turn depended on the availability of grant funding.

Researchers collaborated as much as possible so as to share the benefits of, for example, tissue extracted from a single animal.

The numbers between 2014 and 2023 were as follows:

There are a range of procedures including:

• Breeding and maintaining animals, including genetically modified animals, that model human diseases
• Use of different diets, or food restriction, to examine how this affects ageing and other processes
• The administration of substances such as drugs so as to observe their effects on behaviour or metabolism
• The extraction of tissue and/or cells, including blood, for subsequent biochemical, cytological or genetic analysis
• Aseptic surgery from which the animals recover
• Aseptic surgery, including perfusion for tissue collection, from which the animals do not recover 

No procedures requiring an Establishment Licence have been carrired at any Open University (OU) site since 2023. OU researchers may be involved with licensed procedures through a host institution. Animal Ehtics Committee (AE) has oversight of all OU research involving animals, including that being conducted elsewhere.

For some procedures the animals had to be killed humanely before the procedure; for example, tissue extraction from the gut or brain. However, for some research, such as the effect of diet, or of drugs on behaviour, the animals had to be alive. The animals were closely monitored and if they showed signs of pain and distress they were killed humanely.

Any animals still alive at the end of a project would normally have been killed humanely unless they could be used for other projects. Laboratory animals were re-homed where possible.

The University sometimes bred mice and rats. If and when other animals were needed, these were supplied by reputable licenced suppliers who were committed to animal welfare and ethics. Since relinquishing it Establishment Licence, Open University (OU) researchers have the option to carry out animal research at another host institution and no animals are bred or kept on OU premisis.