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The MRC ethics series document ‘Good research practice: principles and guidelines’ sets out the MRC’s expectations for MRC research units and institutes, MRC university units, MRC centres and MRC grant holders in the form of principles, guidelines and standards to foster good research practice in all MRC-funded research.

ICLAS is an international scientific organization dedicated to advancing human and animal health by promoting the ethical care and use of laboratory animals in research worldwide.

Laboratory Animals is an international journal of laboratory animal science and welfare. Laboratory Animals publishes peer-reviewed original papers and reviews on all aspects of the use of animals in biomedical research. The journal promotes improvements in the welfare or well-being of the animals used, it particularly focuses on research that reduces the number of animals used or which replaces animal models with in vitro alternatives.

Laboratory Animals publishes papers dealing with all aspects of the use of animals in biomedical research, including: new animal models; laboratory animal microbiology; clinical case reports; descriptions of new or improved research techniques; reports on the influence of environmental and other variables on research results; descriptions of techniques which offer replacements for in vivo models; and basic data characterizing the haematology, biochemistry or pathology of new or existing animal models. Papers describing work which involves a reduction in the number of animals that need to be used; or which replace animals with in vitro alternatives; or which represent a significant refinement in methodology, leading to improvements in the welfare or wellbeing of the animals used, are especially encouraged.

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 Medicines Evaluation Board assesses and monitors the efficacy, risks and quality of human and veterinary medicines, and the safety of novel foods for human consumption.

The mission statement of the 3Rs-Centre Utrecht Life Sciences (ULS) is to stimulate the development, acceptance and implementation of methods which can Replace, Reduce and Refine (the 3Rs) animal experiments. The centre is affiliated with Utrecht Life Sciences and provides information and advice to the Animal Welfare Body of both Utrecht University and the University Medical Centre Utrecht.

The Interspecies Database helps researchers to make an optimal choice of species and strain of the animal model, which is essential for efficient extrapolation of animal data to humans or other animals. Thee database has initially been developed by the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) and the Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sports. It is offered by the 3Rs-Centre ULS in collaboration with the RIVM.

Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science (JAAWS) is a US journal that publishes articles, commentaries, and brief research reports on methods of experimentation, husbandry and care that demonstrably enhance the welfare of all nonhuman animals.

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).