Fighting cancer: Animal research at Cambridge

Animal research plays an essential role in our understanding of health and disease and in the development of modern medicine and surgical techniques. As part of our commitment to openness, this film examines how mice are helping the fight against cancer. It takes a in-depth look at the facilities in which they are housed, exploring issues of animal welfare and the search for replacements.

We welcome comments about this article. However, as with discussions on all of our news and feature pages, comments will be moderated so please do not post contributions that are offensive or contain profanities and do stay on topic. We do not moderate comments in real-time so do bear with us if there is a delay before they appear.

* Since this film was published, there has been considerable evidence-based research for improved welfare and scientific outcomes to non-tail handling mice.

[gamerzero]

Having fought Stage 4 cancer for nearly 2 years, now, I support this research. I wish for no one to suffer from cancer.

[fernandovet]

The major problem of animal experimentation is that the results obtained in animals do not guarantee its repeatability in humans. Half of the drugs tested on animals do not work the same way in humans. But the battle for reduction and replacement of animals in research is commendable.

[qjtvaddict]

I thing youtube needs to eliminate the ability to make comments I have never witnessed such stupidity my brain needs bleach now.

[biffa]

It's quite misleading to say that mice are the best experimental test subjects, when they are so different to humans. There are thousands of people willing to help drug research. The most convenient would be nearer the truth

[prashantpandya]

How do they graft\transplant cancerous cells\tissues into animals ? They have not shown it...

[elenaball]

Does the undergraduate course in Natural Sciences (Biological) require students to test on animals? If so, in which modules?

[ezrahhernandez]

Testing on animals saves many human lives which in my opinion makes it acceptable

[sealphoca]

Mice are just as sensitive and just as understanding of pain and death as us. This is wrong beyond wrong to discriminant beings on how they were born into this world, to curse them, to make them live a life of pain you have no right to do that. Imagine if one of them was you? And this is absolutely pointless! How meany years have you been doing this?! How meany mice were monitored and tested? What understanding did you gain from that!? Non, You have it filmed on over 1000 taps how cancer develops in mice and in people You seen it millions of times. Whats the point of doing more? I was relived to see they have somewhat of decent living space. But this is so wrong JUST STOP Stop torching them and stop forcing them to die in so much pain! 🦭

[spikey]

What a load of tosh, we are not Mice this is a waste of lives and money.

[emersonjaie]

what about testing drugs on rats and the trying to test those on humans. aren't there big differences that will effect the way the drugs effect them.