Questions and answers on the subject of animal testing
Questions and answers on the subject of animal testing
On this page you will find answers to "frequently asked questions" (FAQs) about animal experiments. Some questions are of a general nature, so the answers apply to different types of animal experiments. Of course, you will also find many answers that apply in particular to the situation at the University of Oldenburg. If you have any other questions about animal experiments for which you cannot find the answers here, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Research with animals (general)
What is animal testing?
The German Animal Welfare Act defines animal experiments as "interventions or treatments for experimental purposes on animals if they may be associated with pain, suffering or harm to these animals". This also includes experiments in which scientists modify the genetic material of an animal, as well as the breeding of genetically modified animal lines. In most cases, animal experiments are used to answer a scientific question. These relate in particular to basic research, the investigation and treatment of diseases (in humans and animals) and legally prescribed toxicity and safety tests on medicines and chemicals.
There are also animal experiments for training, further education and training purposes (for example in laboratory animal training and veterinary medicine) as well as the production and reproduction of substances, products or organisms if these are required for research (such as antibodies or parasites).
However, if researchers kill an animal in order to remove organs, cells or tissue for scientific purposes, this does not count as animal testing under the Animal Welfare Act.
For what purpose are animal experiments carried out?
In Germany, animal experiments may only be carried out for the development of new medicines, to identify environmental hazards and to test the safety of medicines and pesticides, foodstuffs and consumer goods, chemicals and hazardous substances, as well as for basic research, research into disease mechanisms or the development of medicines.
Animal experiments for the development and testing of weapons, ammunition and other military equipment are not permitted. Animal experiments for the development of tobacco products, detergents and cosmetics are also excluded.
Why is animal testing necessary?
Animal experiments are necessary to research the complexity of biological systems that cannot yet be fully replicated by alternative methods. The majority of animal experiments are carried out in basic research. It is used to gain a better understanding of life processes and diseases. Another important aspect is the development of new medicines and treatments.
Why can't animal experiments all be replaced by alternative methods?
Researchers at the University of Oldenburg are already using non-animal methods such as computer modelling or tissue cell cultures such as organoids. However, many complex relationships that affect the entire organism and the complex interactions between the various life processes/organs can still only be investigated and understood in living animals.
Couldn't we do without animal experiments in basic research?
The aim of basic research is to gain knowledge. It develops the scientific foundation on which all further research is built. As the metabolism and function of organs in humans and animals are very similar, the knowledge gained from animal experiments can help to better understand life processes and their disorders in humans and animals.
Although the transferability of results from basic research to application cannot be planned, nor can their direct benefit be foreseen in the short term, scientific and medical breakthroughs would be inconceivable without the knowledge generated by basic research. It is only thanks to basic biological research that we now know how animals interact in their environment, what they need to survive and how various diseases develop. Such findings can often be transferred to humans and used for the development of vaccines and medicines, for example.
Can the results from animal experiments be transferred to humans at all?
The basic functions of all living organisms are very similar due to their common ancestry - the closer the relationship, the greater the similarities. For example, the development of the embryo, the cardiovascular system and the nervous system in mice function according to the same principles as in humans. Humans also suffer from many diseases that occur in a comparable form in animals. Research with animals therefore allows conclusions to be drawn about disease mechanisms and possible therapeutic approaches. Of course, there are also differences between humans and animals - but even these can help researchers to better understand biological relationships and medical problems.
Animals at the University of Oldenburg
On which animal species are experiments carried out?
How many animals are used as laboratory animals each year?
Are the animals killed during the experiments?
Unfortunately, it is unavoidable that animals are also killed for experimental purposes. In order to obtain precise information about disease mechanisms, for example, affected organs must be removed after the animal's death and further examined using molecular biological methods, for example. However, not every laboratory animal is necessarily killed at the end of an experiment. Whenever the purpose of the experiment allows it, the animals are either reused or released into suitable habitats, provided their state of health permits this and the legal regulations allow it.
What is the process of a planned animal experiment up to authorisation?
If a scientist wishes to carry out an animal experiment, a proposal must first be submitted to the competent authority, which in Lower Saxony is the LAVES. This proposal contains extensive information on all aspects of the proposal, including a detailed description of the experiment and the husbandry, a detailed explanation of why no alternative methods can be used, how pain and suffering can be avoided and information on the number of animals required.
This proposal is first reviewed by an animal welfare officer at the university and then forwarded to the authority. The authority checks the proposal for completeness. If this is the case, the proposal is passed on to an independent commission in accordance with Section 15 of the Animal Welfare Act, which discusses it, asks questions if necessary and gives its vote. The authority passes on its own queries and those of the commission to the applicant(s). Only when all questions have been answered does the authority decide whether the proposal can be approved.
If the proposal is approved (sometimes subject to further conditions), the scientist may begin the experiment. The authorisation is usually valid for five years. As soon as a change to the experiment is planned, this must be notified to the authority before commencement. The authority examines and authorises the change. The change may only be carried out once authorisation has been granted.
How are animal experiments supervised at our university?
Several animal welfare officers supervise animal research at the University of Oldenburg. They advise on the planning and preparation of animal experiment applications, supervise ongoing experiments and animal husbandry and ensure compliance with animal welfare regulations, conditions and requirements. In particular, the animal welfare officers "advise on the welfare of the animals and the possibilities for improving the welfare of the animals during acquisition, accommodation and care as well as with regard to their medical treatment" (Section 5 TierSchVersV).
How much do the animals suffer during an experiment?
Unfortunately, it is not always possible to completely avoid stressing animals if we want to understand diseases or develop new treatment methods. However, the priority is of course to carry out the experiments under the least stressful conditions. This includes a strict hygiene concept, keeping the animals as species-appropriate as possible, close monitoring of the animals and, of course, further refinement measures if necessary, such as the administration of painkillers.
Where do the animals come from?
Most of the animals used in animal experiments are bred at the university and reared under strictly controlled conditions - this is also important for the standardisation of experiments. The animal facility at the University of Oldenburg breeds animals such as mice, Mongolian gerbils, guinea pigs, fish and birds. Occasionally, animals are also imported from other research institutions. Transport and import are subject to strict regulations.
Wild animals are only part of an experiment if they are the object of study and no animals bred for the purpose of the experiment can be considered.
What is the University of Oldenburg doing to avoid and improve animal experiments?
The University of Oldenburg has committed itself to implementing the so-called 3R principles (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement) in order to replace animal experiments as far as possible, to reduce the number and stress on laboratory animals and to optimise animal welfare. Whenever available, the research groups use alternative methods and develop these further for their purposes.
How are the animals kept?
Animal husbandry must also fulfil the strictest requirements (§2 of the TierSchG and §1 of the TierSchVersV). The animals are housed in appropriate housing systems and are looked after and cared for daily by specialised staff. The protection and welfare of the animals is our top priority. Current animal welfare regulations are always complied with.