About Humane Research Australia

Our Values

• Compassion — for animals used in science and for all beings reliant on safe and effective medical and scientific progress
• Respect — for the scientific process and towards all who may hold opposing viewpoints, or work in the animal-based research industry, whom we will treat with courtesy and civility
• Integrity — in providing factual information about animal-based research 
• Courage — to speak out in the face of opposition and on behalf of animals who cannot speak out
• Commitment — to continuously challenge the status quo by advocating for scientifically valid animal-free methods of research
• Transparency — in all of our undertakings to promote positive solutions that advance animal-free science

Mission Statement and Principles

The Association works professionally, ethically, and with compassion for all beings as our driving motivation, to develop public awareness of animal experimentation; to pursue all reasonable channels to eliminate animal experimentation in any form or industry, and to champion the beneficial adoption of animal-free alternatives to all forms of animal usage throughout scientific and medical research and teaching.

The Association will hold and maintain the following as core principles:

• Research data obtained from animal experimentation and extrapolated to human conditions is unreliable and ineffective, and delays progress for human health.
• Animal-based research and teaching represents unnecessarily cruel, empirically compromised and unethical treatment of non-consenting sentient beings.
• The replacement of animals with validated non-animal methods will facilitate scientifically reliable, effective, empirically valid research outcomes.

What type of research is HRA opposed to? 

Science and research are very broad areas. HRA recognises that some research, such as observation of wild animals for conservation purposes, is non-invasive, and that is some circumstances, veterinary research or training can be conducted without harm to animals.  Whilst we advocate for animal-free research, we accept that under very limited conditions, animal use may be permissible, when in the interests of the individual animal/s used in such research.  It is impossible to foretell all such cases and HRA reserves the right to assess each research protocol on its individual merits.

Put simply, HRA is opposed to any harmful use of animals in science. By science we are referring to biomedical science (both fundamental and applied research), regulatory science, chemical testing, agricultural research, veterinary research, science teaching any other scientific discipline that may entail animal experimentation.

By harmful, we adhere to the definition: Any use of animals that cause pain, suffering, distress, or lasting harm—including death—without any clear benefit to the animals themselves[1].

It is important to note that even if the research conducted is not considered harmful, the laboratory environment itself can cause suffering and the prevention of natural behaviours and thus be detrimental[2].

[1] Zemanova, M.A.; Knight, A.; Lybæk, S. Educational use of animals in Europe indicates reluctance to implement alternatives. ALTEX 2021, 38, 490–506

[2] Balcombe J. Laboratory rodent welfare: thinking outside the cage. J Appl Anim Welf Sci. 2010;13(1):77-88. doi: 10.1080/10888700903372168. PMID: 20017048.

Collaboration

HRA recognises that there logistical, institutional, economic, and regulatory barriers to transitioning to human-relevant research. HRA is open to collaboration with individuals and organisations to overcome these barriers and to work together to incentive a phase-out of animal experimentation. With no phase-out plan in Australia, HRA supports the principles of the RSPCA UK 2030 Phase-out Plan , the Eurogroup for Animals strategy and the PETA Research Modernization Deal. 

Reporting

HRA’s annual activity statements are available on the ACNC website.