Toward a common interpretation of the 3Rs principles in animal research
Many scientific breakthroughs have depended on animal research, yet the ethical concerns surrounding the use of animals in experimentation have long prompted discussions about humane treatment and responsible scientific practice. First articulated by Russell and Burch, the 3Rs Principles of Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement have gained widespread recognition as basic guidelines for animal research. Over time, the 3Rs have transcended the research community, influencing policy decisions, animal welfare advocacy and public perception of animal experimentation. Despite their broad acceptance, interpretations of the 3Rs vary substantially, shaping statutory frameworks at various levels, with both technical and practical impacts.
Authors
- Nikolaos Kostomitsopoulos (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4787-5106)
- Simone Pollo
- Alisa Elezović (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0559-1463)
- Jeffrey J. Bajramović (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6504-3437)
- Arti Ahluwalia (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5370-6750)
- Joery De Kock (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4078-4896)
- Winfried Neuhaus (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6552-7183)
- Bettina Bert (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8202-9290)
- Augusto Vitale (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8078-3831)
- Samuel Camenzind (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2227-2061)
- Doris Wilflingseder (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5888-5118)
- Μαρία Κιτσαρά (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9614-306X)
- Sophie Schober (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1686-9937)
- Benoit Petit‐Demoulière (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5616-7692)
- Fernando Gonzalez-Uarquin (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6013-7557)
- Johan Lauwereyns (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0551-2550)
- Olaf Hoffmann (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6399-1911)
- Aurélie Thomas (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1655-3278)
- Brígida Riso
- Athanassia Sotiropoulos
- Yesim Isil Ulman
Institutions
- University of Sarajevo (BA)
- AstraZeneca (United Kingdom) (GB)
- University of Pisa (IT)
- Magyar Agrár- és Élettudományi Egyetem (HU)
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (FR)
- University of Vienna (AT)
- AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH (AT)
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel (BE)
- Kyushu University (JP)
- University of Lisbon (PT)
- University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna (AT)
- Inserm (FR)
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria (AT)
- Utrecht University (NL)
- Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (DE)
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità (IT)
- Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (DE)
- Acıbadem University (TR)
- Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens (GR)
- University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (DE)
- Agence Nationale des Fréquences (FR)
- Institute of Genetics (HU)
- Ubitech (Greece) (GR)
- Cukurova University (TR)
- Université de Strasbourg (FR)
- Sapienza University of Rome (IT)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Lab Animal
- Published
- 2024-11-15
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41684-024-01476-2
- Citations
- 36
- Primary Topic
- Animal testing and alternatives
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 22.97