Research FAQs

+ Research involving animals

We fund a range of medical research to deliver new, effective and kinder treatments for children with neuroblastoma. This research helps scientists to better understand the disease, develop improved treatments and hopefully one day, to find a cure.

Research includes using cells grown in a lab, tissue samples, computer models and when appropriate, animals. Clinical trials are also conducted with human volunteers. Each stage is an important part of the research process.

Using animals in research is sometimes necessary to advance understanding of neuroblastoma. We recognise that not everybody is comfortable with the use of animal in research.

Neuroblastoma UK is a member of theAssociation of Medical Research Charities (AMRC). We endorse the position of AMRC on the use of animals for medical research and are committed to the 3Rs of reduction, replacement and refinement, as basic principles of humane animal research.

We work with the AMRC to ensure that we fund only high-quality research where the benefits to people and animal health outweigh any harm to animals

that the research complies with the law and support the principle to refine, reduce and replace the use of animals in research, and

that any animal research is compliant with all local legislation and ethical review processes.

Read AMRC's position statement on the use of animals in research

+ Supporting research in universities

Since 2008, medical research charities have invested nearly £12 billion in UK universities. In 2018, 87% of all UK medical research funded by AMRC’s members took place directly in universities.

As a member of the AMRC, we remain committed to supporting research and the careers of talented researchers in UK universities.

Research in UK HEIs is funded from a variety of sources, with different levels of resource, priorities, objectives and histories. Charities like ours differ from other funders in the way we fund research. We are independent from government and we use generous public donations to support research for public benefit that will improve health and wellbeing.

When supporting research, we take into account our own research priorities, the expectations of our donors and the needs and opportunities of the neuroblastoma communities, including patients and the public.

AMRC expects HEIs to take the unique way that charities fund research into account when pricing the research they support.

Read AMRC's position statement on supporting research in universites