World Day for Laboratory Animals 2023 observed on 24 April

World Day for Laboratory Animals 2023

World Day for Laboratory Animals on April 24th advocates for the end of the suffering of animals in laboratories, and their replacement with advanced scientific non-animal techniques. Laboratory animals are used for biomedical research to discover the causes, diagnoses, and treatments of diseases, in the cosmetics industry, and more. Because some animals are similar to humans, mice share more than 98% DNA with us, and are subject to similar illnesses such as cancer. This day was established by the National Anti-Vivisection Society (NAVS) more than four decades ago, and since then the campaign has acquired immense popularity and numerous supporters.

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World Day for Laboratory Animals: Significance

The day serves as an opportunity to remind people of the ethical and moral responsibilities to ensure the welfare of laboratory animals and the need to reduce their use. This day is also significant in promoting the development and implementation of alternative methods to animal experimentation, such as computer modeling and in vitro testing. The ultimate goal is to minimize animal suffering while ensuring the safety and efficacy of scientific research. The observance of this day highlights the need for greater investment in scientific research that uses alternative methods to animal testing, and supports the development of alternative testing methods to reduce the number of animals used in research.

World Day for Laboratory Animals: History

In 1979, NAVS established World Day for Laboratory Animals (also referred to as Lab Animal Day) on April 24 – Lord Hugh Dowding’s birthday. This international day of commemoration is recognised by the United Nations, and is now marked annually by anti-vivisectionists on every continent. In 1980, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), led by PETA Founder, Ingrid Newkirk, organized the first World Day for Laboratory Animals protest in the U.S. Instituted in 1979 World Day for Laboratory Animals, and the associated Lab Animal Week, has been a catalyst for the movement to end the suffering of animals in laboratories around the world and their replacement with advanced scientific non-animal techniques. The suffering of millions of animals all over the world is commemorated on every continent.

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