An important purpose of the Council of Headsof Medical Schools is to promote education and research that is carried out inmedical schools in the UK. Suchresearch is for the benefit of patients and the public. Biomedical research improves both ourtreatment and understanding of disease, and is essential to maintain theadvances in health care that have arisen from earlier medical research..
Medicalschools conduct research using a wide variety of methods and technologies. Despite advances in other methods ofresearch, it is still essential to use animals in research where no viablealternative exists. Research using animalsis controlled by law.
Medical schools are aware that the use ofanimals raises ethical issues. CHMSexpects that research conducted in medical schools be carried out to thehighest standards of scientific rigour and of animal welfare. The CHMS supportsthe 3Rs: to replace animal use where possible, to reduce the number of animalsused and to refine procedures in order to minimise suffering.