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8 February 2010

 
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Naturewatch Foundation - For the Advancement of Animal Welfare

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The 3Rs of Animal Experiments

 Holding the Government to account

Naturewatch is strongly in favour of the 3Rs, as we believe that it provides a viable framework by which the use of animals in research may be improved and ultimately phased out. This is therefore an evolutionary approach rather than a revolutionary one. These pages will act as a guide to the issues.

The National Centre for the 3Rs

An exciting opportunity but reservations exist - read Naturewatch's verdict on its recent visit to NC3Rs. More....

News updates on the NC3Rs - also includes story of Naturewatch's backing for the new Centre. More....

Promoting the 3Rs - why the 3Rs are important for improving animal welfare now. More....

Why refine? - a look at the least understood component of the 3Rs. More....

The Lords' report - a briefing on the report which led to the NC3Rs. More....

Links & references

"Not Fooled" - we know that not everyone is happy with our support of NC3Rs. More....

Nuffield Bioethics Report provides strong support for 3Rs. More....

    

 The 3Rs are:
 Refinement   - of procedures in order to minimise animal suffering and distress.
    For example: the environmental enrichment of animal cages through toys, hiding places and nesting material; reduction of dosages of drugs; and the use of non- invasive scanning techniques.
 
 Reduction   - of the numbers of animals used.
    For example, bioluminescence - notwithstanding the controversy surrounding genetic modification - can lead both to better science and substantially fewer animals being used in cancer research. Improved statistical techniques may lead to better use of data - and also the need for fewer animals.
 
 Replacement   - of animal experiments with non-animal alternatives.
    For example, significant numbers of tests for skin toxicity have been replaced by in-vitro techniques.
 
 

Feature articles

Do enriched cages compromise scientific results? Scientists have been reluctant to provide enriched cages for fear that it would compromise the science. A new study shows this to be wrong. More...

Could nematode worms replace rats and mice? A report on important research in the USA shows great potential as a landmark development in the 3Rs. More...

Can any good come out of genetic modification? Strangely, yes: glow-in-the-dark mice may provide the opportunity for better science from many fewer animals. More...
Also see article on the NC3Rs site on this subject here.

     
   

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