WEB-021A: In Europe as elsewhere, laboratory animal welfare is given the highest priority, mostly driven by what is commonly known as the 3Rs: Replacement, Reduction, Refinement as defined by Russell and Burch in 1959. 1) Replacement: methods that avoid or replace the use of animals in research. 2) Reduction: methods that enable researchers to obtain comparable levels of information from fewer animals, or to obtain more information from the same number of animals. 3) Refinement: methods that alleviate or minimize potential pain, suffering or distress, and enhance animal welfare for the animals used. It is also well accepted that of the three, the main area of progress is in the field of refinement where a great deal has, and continues to be done, not to only reduce pain or suffering but to enhance the overall welfare of the animal via environmental enrichment and attention to improving animal welfare. While refinement is both morally and ethically correct, one could question if there were other benefits outside of those for the animal. For example, do well cared-for, stress-free animals produce better quality data? The most anticipated response is probably- less stressed animals should give more stable background data for instance, but is there any hard evidence to substantiate this view? This presentation will describe with real data where changes in animal welfare, caging, and technology can and has improved the quality of the data gained from in vivo studies.
Learning Objectives:
- Review the 3Rs in animal research.
- Describe how changes in the environment, technology, and behavioral training can improve the welfare of various species, particularly rabbits, dogs, minipigs, and nonhuman primates.
- Explain how a culture of care centered on the welfare of animals helps to achieve good science.
Audience: Veterinarians, veterinary technicians, animal health technicians, and senior animal care technicians.
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