3Rs - search page

The Academy is working to address all aspects of animals in research, from engaging in debate about how to regulate the use of animals in research, to efforts to improve the openness of organisations that are involved in animal research.

The official journal of the Institute of Animal Technology and of the European Federation of Animal Technologists (EFAT).Animal Technology and Welfare aims to be the medium for animal technologists and all those concerned with the care and welfare of animals used for research purposes to communicate ‘best practice. ATW especially aims to promote and develop the 3Rs particularly in respect of Refinement.

More importantly, ATW promotes the generally accepted ‘4th R’, Responsibility. The responsibility that all animal technologists have in ensuring dissemination of ‘best practice’ to every institution using animals in research. ATW enjoys a unique position as the scientific publication for the leading organisations (IAT and EFAT) for the welfare of animals in research.

The Biosciences Federation Animal Science Group was established in December 2002 and launched in September 2003 as an umbrella organisation to promote interaction within the biosciences community, particularly in areas of research and teaching; to provide information to assist the formulation of scientific policy; and, perhaps most challenging of all, to debate the ethical issues surrounding recent advances in the biosciences (see previous report by Nancy Rothwell).

The issues addressed in this Report have been a subject of intense public debate over at least the past four hundred years. Feelings are strong on all sides of the issues, and in recent years reports of violent action against those conducting animal research in the UK have brought the matter to the forefront of public attention.

ALTBIB is a search tool that retrieves PubMed citations on alternatives to the use of live vertebrates in biomedical research and testing. It includes citations from published articles, books, book chapters, and technical reports. It also provides links to news sources and additional resources on alternatives to animal testing.

A wide variety of topics are covered, including biologics and vaccines, carcinogenesis, cytotoxicity, ecotoxicity, genotoxicity, hepatic/renal toxicity, immunotoxicity/immunology, neurotoxicity, ocular toxicity, pharmacokinetic/mechanistic studies, pyrogenicity, pulmonary toxicity, quantitative structure activity relationship (QSAR), reproductive and developmental toxicity, skin toxicity, and animal welfare.

Guiding principles on good practice for Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Bodies (2015) (PDF 1.76MB). Developed and published jointly by the RSPCA and the Laboratory Animal Science Association (LASA), this resource aims to help in the efficient and effective operation of local animal welfare and ethical review bodies.