The 3Rs in animal research refer to the principles of Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement, which were first proposed by William Russell and Rex Burch in 1959. These principles aim to guide researchers in the humane use of animals in scientific research:
- Replacement: Use alternatives to animal testing whenever possible, such as in vitro methods or computer modelling.
- Reduction: Minimise the number of animals used in experiments by employing strategies that yield valid results with fewer subjects.
- Refinement: Enhance animal welfare by improving procedures and housing conditions to reduce suffering.
These principles are essential for ethical research practices and are widely recognised in the scientific community. For more information, please click here: https://nc3rs.org.uk/who-we-are/3rs
Promoting Excellence in Animal Welfare and Ethical Research
At the University of Cambridge, we are deeply committed to advancing awareness and understanding of animal welfare in research. Our mission is to ensure that all work involving animals is conducted with the highest standards of care, guided by current legislation, ethical principles, and best practices.
We champion the 3Rs across every stage of research. This includes responsible animal breeding, minimising surplus animals, promoting tissue sharing and ensuring excellence in surgical and procedural techniques.
Through the Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Body (AWERB) and its sub-groups, we provide a vital platform for open ethical dialogue. These groups actively monitor the implementation of refinement strategies, including recommended dosing and sampling limits, clinical monitoring, and severity assessments.
This 3Rs section of the website is designed to be a comprehensive resource for researchers, staff and the wider public. Here, you'll find accessible, practical tools and information to help embed the 3Rs across all aspects of research involving animals.
Please look at our 3Rs Search Tool where you can search for links, resources and stay informed with the best practices in animal welfare and research.
For University of Cambridge researchers and staff you can find in-house guidance available here: UBS 3Rs Resources