Mice Forced to Swim in Near-Drowning Experiments More Than 200 Times in 2024
Despite the previous government stating its “aim to completely eliminate the use of the forced swim test” in March 2024, the test was used more than 200 times in that same year. In the recently published strategy to replace animals in science, the current government states that the test “has limited scientific validity”, yet they will “continue to assess any new applications” to use it. Enough is enough. We are calling for the Home Office to immediately stop licensing this cruel and useless procedure.
Forced Swim Test Still in Use
According to new statistics released by the government, the forced swim test, in which rodents are submerged in a body of water that they cannot escape from, was used a total of 215 times in British laboratories in 2024.
All of these experiments were conducted on mice. The forced swim test causes huge distress to these animals, and footage of tests has shown them thrashing around in water while desperately trying to escape.
What Is the Forced Swim Test?
In the forced swim test, experimenters induce panic in small, vulnerable animals by forcing them into inescapable cylinders of water. The test is conducted under the erroneous assumption that it can reveal something about human mental health conditions, like depression and anxiety.
But these cruel tests do nothing to help humans. Major pharmaceutical companies, including Johnson & Johnson, GlaxoSmithKline, AstraZeneca, Pfizer, and Bayer, have all stopped using the forced swim test.
Forced Swim Tests: Current UK Policy
Last year, the forced swim test was banned for use as a model of human depression or for studies of anxiety and its treatment. The tests were conducted on the assumption that they could gauge depression when the animals supposedly “give up” hope of survival and stop swimming. But this assumption lacks a scientific basis. The decision to ban the test was made on the advice of the Animals in Science Committee, which recognised problems with the test.
No More Licenses
In September 2025, Lord Hanson, Minister of State at the Home Office, confirmed the ministry’s intention to no longer grant licenses for the forced swim test. The current licenses will expire in 2028.
The Government Must Act
PETA campaigned relentlessly for the forced swim test to be banned. While we are delighted that the government has taken steps to ban it, we are disappointed that these tests are still being conducted. The government must make good on its intentions and immediately stop licensing its use.
End the Forced Swim Test Abroad!
Tell Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis to ban the forced swim test:
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