Animal testing and 3R
Animal testing and 3R
We only carry out animal experiments when all other methods are unsuitable for answering the scientific questions. This is also required by law. The necessity of each individual animal experiment is always carefully assessed.
The welfare of laboratory animals is of particular concern to all employees involved in animal experiments: animal welfare, the best possible husbandry conditions and the responsible treatment of animals are not only a legal obligation for us, but above all an ethical and moral obligation. They are also an indispensable prerequisite for obtaining usable and reproducible scientific results.
For many years, we have also made the so-called 3R principle our guiding principle. The three Rs stand for:
Replace (Avoid)
Where possible, those involved replace animal testing with alternative methods. They assess whether they can still answer the scientific questions by using simple organisms such as bacteria or invertebrates, or by employing cell and tissue cultures, computer models or other alternative methods.
Reduce (Cut down)
The number of laboratory animals is reduced to the absolute minimum. This is achieved through a well-designed experimental protocol and statistical and methodological optimisations. Those involved carefully select suitable animal models based on empirical evidence. In this way, they also prevent similar experiments from being carried out repeatedly.
Refine (Improve)
The animals must be kept in a manner appropriate to their species, i.e. with sufficient space and in an environment that promotes their wellbeing. This can be achieved, for example, through so-called ‘enrichment’, such as hiding places in the cages or additional materials for nest-building. Experimental methods (e.g. anaesthesia) are also being optimised with this in mind.