3Rs - search page

The EURL ECVAM DataBase service on ALternative Methods (DB-ALM).

The use of animals in scientific research remains a vital tool in improving our understanding of how biological systems work both in health and disease, and in the development of new medicines, treatments and technologies. Underpinning this research is a strong commitment to maintaining a rigorous regulatory system which ensures that animal research is carried out only where no practicable alternative exists and under controls which keep suffering to a minimum. This is achieved through robustly applying the principles of the 3Rs to all research proposals involving the use of animals.

Guidlines from the British Psychological Society's Standing Advisory Committee on the Welfare of Animals in Psychology. This was developed in cooperation with EPS.

FRAME is dedicated to the development of new and valid methods that will replace the need for laboratory animals in medical and scientific research, education, and testing. Where the use of animals is currently necessary, FRAME supports the reduction of numbers involved to an unavoidable minimum and refinement of experimental procedures to minimise any suffering caused. The E-learning resource of FRAME has been set up to provide teachers, school children, students and general supporters with information about the different areas of animal experimentation and with specific resources as to how it can be reduced, refined or replaced. 

NORINA is an English-language database containing information on over 3,500 audiovisual aids that may be used as alternatives or supplements to the use of animals in education and training, including dissection alternatives, at all levels from Junior School to University.  The information in the database has been collected from 1991 onwards.