Around two thirds of the UK public accepts the use of animals for research where there is no alternative, according to a government survey for 2018.
But the newly released report also observed that one of the main characteristics the public attributes to animal research organisations remains “secrecy”.
The acceptability figure remains unchanged since 2014.
As well as asking about public acceptability of animal research the 2018 report on Public Attitudes to Animal Research, published by Office for Life Sciences, also looked at public awareness and public attitudes to regulation.
Public trust in the regulation of animal research in the UK remains at levels recorded in previous years, but awareness of government work on the “three Rs” remains low.
Interest in alternatives and the welfare of animals is high and has risen, but two thirds of the public do not feel well-informed about the use of animals in research.