Made by the Bradford Institute of Technology, a public research University located in West Yorkshire, who gained their University status by Royal Charter in 1966, this film focuses on scientific animal testing and research. This is unusual compared to the other films within the archive as these focus on education and the lecturers; however, it seems that these films were made for documentation of the research project and not for distribution purposes. This particular film was made in 1968...

Made by the Bradford Institute of Technology, a public research University located in West Yorkshire, who gained their University status by Royal Charter in 1966, this film focuses on scientific animal testing and research. This is unusual compared to the other films within the archive as these focus on education and the lecturers; however, it seems that these films were made for documentation of the research project and not for distribution purposes.

This particular film was made in 1968 when the expansion of medical science meant that the numbers of animals used in research expanded steadily . This is due to the Elixir Sulphanilamide (1937) and Thalidomide tragedies (1950/1960s), as these incidents highlighted how harmful these pharmaceuticals can be to humans if they have not been tested on animals first and thus illustrated the importance of animal experimentation to prevent future human tragedies.

As a documentation of the Institutes research into testing anaesthetics on different species of animals, the film demonstrates the animals being given anaesthetic and then their responses to the tests they are undergoing.
Previously before this film was made, Paul Janssen managed to synthesize nearly all of the butyrophenone class of antipsychotic agents, for example, haloperidol (1958), droperidol (1961) and fentanyl (1960), this led to these agents being rapidly integrated into the practice of anaesthesia. Many anaesthetics were flammable and unsafe in high doses; however, in today’s society anaesthesia is safe, versatile and indispensable to patients . In modern society the UK has some of the strictest animal research regulations in the world due to the 1986 Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act, this act means it is illegal to use an animal if there is an alternative non-animal method available and the expected benefits accrued from the research must outweigh any potential animal suffering . Projects must also be approved by two separate institutions and you are required to hold three separate licences for animal research and testing . Animal research and testing in the UK is conducted by Universities and Medical Schools that focus on discovering how biological systems operate instead of testing pharmaceuticals.

Not only have the laws surrounding animal research and testing changed, people’s attitudes, ethics and morals have. Veganism is very popular, activism on behalf of animals and the planet are increasing due to peoples moral consciousnesses expanding, for example, campaigns for the make up industry to cease testing on animals and an ever-growing campaign to end fox hunting in the UK.

References
Understanding Animal Research. 2015. History of animal research. [online] Available at: <https://www.understandinganimalresearch.org.uk/resources/animal-research-essay-resources/history-of-animal-research/> [Accessed 18 November 2021].
Hajar, Rachel. “Animal testing and medicine.” Heart views: the official journal of the Gulf Heart Association vol. 12,1 (2011): 42. doi:10.4103/1995-705X.81548
Britannica, The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia. "Sir Humphry Davy". Encyclopaedia Britannica, 18 Nov. 2021, https://www.britannica.com/facts/Sir-Humphry-Davy-Baronet. Accessed 18 November 2021.
ari.info. 2015. Role of Animal Research in the Discovery of Anaesthetics. [online] Available at: <https://www.animalresearch.info/en/medical-advances/diseases-research/anaesthetics/#> [Accessed 18 November 2021].
Krishnan, G., 2014. Modern Anaesthesia. [online] Medindia. Available at: <https://www.medindia.net/patients/patientinfo/anaesthesia-modern.htm> [Accessed 18 November 2021].
Speaking of Research. n.d. Animal Research Regulations in the UK. [online] Available at: <https://speakingofresearch.com/facts/animal-research-regulations-in-the-uk/> [Accessed 18 November 2021].