Urge the University of Bath to Ban the Near-Drowning of Animals

UN INT Intro Text w/ Centered Large Responsive Image - *Important Note* You must UNLINK this shared library component before making page-specific customizations.

University experimenters put mice in sheer-sided containers of water and watch them paddle furiously in search of an exit, desperately trying to keep their heads above water. At some point, they stop swimming and start floating. Experimenters time how long it takes for this to happen on the absurd assumption that this can tell us something about the psychological states of humans with clinical depression.

The test does nothing more than terrify animals and can delay the development of effective new treatments for depression and other neurobehavioural conditions that are so desperately needed.

The University of Bath is continuing to allow these flawed experiments. It has taken over 300 video recordings of this cruel test in the last three years.

PETA provided King's College London with scientific evidence showing the failings of the forced swim test, and the university has since confirmed it doesn't intend to conduct the test on any species going forward. Fourteen companies have also banned the test after hearing from PETA or its affiliates. It's time the University of Bath followed suit and invested in humane, human-relevant, non-animal methods instead.

View Message +

Professor

Ian

White

University of Bath

Dear {contact_data~title}{contact_data~lastName},

I was horrified to learn that your institution continues to defend the notorious forced swim test (also known as the "behavioural despair test"), even though it is mired in scientific and ethical controversy. The test is not reliable and does not measure depression or "despair", as many who use it claim it does, and it is not an effective way to test antidepressants. Along with other poorly validated tests on animals, the forced swim test is thought to have contributed to the high failure rate of treatments for depression and other neurobehavioural conditions.

The test induces panic and terror in vulnerable mice as they are placed in an inescapable cylinder of water and forced to swim. They try to escape by attempting to climb the steep sides of the cylinder and even diving underwater to look for an escape route. They paddle furiously until they eventually stop and float.

I urge you to commit publicly to ending the use of the forced swim test on all animals at your institution, following the example set by King's College London. With the right strategies in place, universities can help accelerate the global shift towards efficient, effective animal-free science.

Sincerely,

{user_data~First Name} {user_data~Last Name}
{user_data~Email Address}

Take Action Now

The University of Bath is refusing to ban the test. Take action by telling it to stop tormenting mice below.

You may use the provided text, but your message will carry more weight if you write your own customised message and subject line. Personalised letters always work best.

Fields with an asterisk(*) are required.

First Name

Last Name

E-Mail Address

Sign up for e-mails from PETA including:

PETA News

Yes

No

Support our work to save animals. Select YES to receive e-mails, including about other ways to help animals, such as by signing petitions and funding PETA's lifesaving work.

IMG Source

Urge the University of Bath to Ban the Near-Drowning of Animals

Take Action Now

Thank You—Now Take the Next Step!