Around the world, research using animals has played an essential role in almost every major health advance for both humans and animals.

Medical advances

Medical milestones such as antibiotics, anesthetics, heart valve replacements and vaccines to prevent rabies in companion animals have all involved animal research. Since 1901, almost every Nobel Prize in Medicine has been awarded for innovations dependent on data from animal models. Also, new medicines and treatment must be evaluated in a living organism before being given to humans, according to federal government requirements.

At UBC, animal research is a privilege to be used only when no alternative is possible. It’s true that non-animal techniques, such as cell cultures and computer simulations, are important. However, these methods cannot yet mirror the complicated and sometimes unpredictable processes of a living system.

Humane care

We take animal research very seriously and respect the unique contribution animals make to improving health, preventing disease and saving lives. Our investigators, veterinarians and animal care technicians are all committed to humane animal care. UBC subscribes to the 3Rs principles of animal use: Replacement, Reduction and Refinement. Investigators carefully design research projects and continually refine procedures to reduce the number of animals used and replace them, where possible, with non-animal methods.

National regulations

Research and facilities involving animals are rigorously reviewed, inspected and regulated at federal and institutional levels.

UBC has one of the largest research communities in Canada and attracts the second-highest amount of health research funding in Canada. We stand behind the important contributions made by our dedicated investigators and encourage you to learn more about their research results and methods by accessing scientific journals where research is published. Through this website, we aim to increase public understanding of the of the process and benefits of animal research at UBC and beyond.