Demonstrators Protest at Bristol’s Forced Swim Tests on Rats

By Rhiannon Jenkins, News Co-Deputy Editor

During a visit to Yale University, Bristol university's Vice-Chancellor, Evelyn Welch, was interrupted by members of the group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) while delivering a talk who were protesting the university's use of the 'forced swim test' for research purposes.

The demonstrators can be seen holding signs that read “University of Bristol: Ban Animal Torture”, in a video uploaded to TikTok by the account @itsjamiescorner that has since amassed 4.1 million views. One man seated in the audience can be seen leaving the auditorium following the ambush, stating:

'That’s awful, that’s actually terrible... forcing rats to swim and then drown? That’s disgusting...There’s modern human relevant methods available... I’m severely disappointed. Do better Chancellor Welch.' 

Some commenters underneath the video voiced frustration towards individuals in the audience who were seen smiling and laughing throughout the demonstration. With one user commenting, 'The woman in the crowd laughing?!?!! I’m infuriated!!!'

Jamie Logan, one of the demonstrators featured in the video, shared with Epigram:

'When I grabbed the mic, it wasn’t just about disrupting a speech - it was about giving a voice to the terrified rats forced to swim in the University of Bristol’s near-drowning tests. PETA and its supporters won’t be silent while cruel experiments continue in the name of so-called mental health research. The university must drop the forced swim test now'.

A University of Bristol spokesperson said in response to the protest:

'We recognise there are differing views about the use of animals in research, including some concerns around whether it is ethical.

'The University of Bristol has a successful track record of translating scientific discoveries into real-world advances. The majority of our biomedical research uses non-animal methods for example computer models, cells grown in the laboratory or human volunteers.

'When these methods are not suitable to address the scientific gaps, and therefore only when absolutely necessary, we use animals in research to improve our understanding of health and disease in both humans and animals. This includes cardiovascular and cancer research, diseases associated with infection and immunity and, in the case of forced swimming, advances in the understanding of stress-related disorders.

'We are committed to a culture of openness and transparency regarding the research carried out here and make publicly available short summaries of all the projects approved at the University.'

This protest is the most recent in a series of events that reflect an ongoing three-year dispute between animal welfare activists and the university.

Other recent demonstrations include an ambush of Chancellor Welch’s reception in Hong Kong this summer, a PETA demonstration outside Beacon House in April, a student sit-in also at Beacon House last year, and an open letter from Bristol Uni students and PETA to the last Vice-Chancellor Hugh Brady in 2022. 

A more comprehensive summary of PETA's demonstrations against Bristol forced swim tests can be found here.

What are the forced Swim Tests? 

The forced swim test is a behavioural test that involves placing rats in inescapable cylindrical beakers. Their movements are monitored and the time taken for them to start floating is monitored to research potential antidepressants on behavioural despair. The rats are then 'humanely killed' for 'scientific analysis essential to the research'. 

It is thought that research garnered from this test will contribute to understanding of human stress-related illnesses and disorders, however has been argued to produce inaccurate results by scientists at the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

PETA has criticised Bristol as one of the UK’s last institutions to continue conducting the test, where universities like King’s College London and the University of Bath, as well as companies like pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline, have since stopped using the test following concerns of its effectiveness. 

The university maintains that it 'keep[s] up to date with the latest thinking on all aspects of research using animals (including advances in welfare) and have robust and thorough ethical review processes in place for every project.'

The University of Bristol's policy on the swim test can be accessed here.

What do you think about the forced swim tests?