3Rs - search page

The PETA International Science Consortium Ltd. promotes non-animal research methods and coordinates the scientific and regulatory expertise of its members. With an eye toward championing the best non-animal methods and replacing tests on animals, the Science Consortium brings scientific expertise and extensive knowledge of the international regulatory environment to the development of testing protocols.

This section contains a selection of resources highlighting the alternatives to using animals in research, testing and teaching.

Kirkstall are a biotechnology company specialising in products and services supporting in-vitro cell culture research and the development of routine in vitro testing.

Establishment of a novel system for the production of large numbers of mouse basophils in vitro.

The Guide has specifically been developed to support untrained database users in finding high quality information on relevant alternative strategies and methods to animal experiments from the wide range of sources available on the web. The Guide provides examples of search procedures, suggested search terms and user guidance.  Target users are scientists, national authorities involved in animal protection and ethical committees verifying that all possible alternatives have been considered before conducting animal experiments.

Appendix A of the Animal Usage Form asks for the methods used to search for alternatives to procedures that may cause more than slight pain or distress to animals.

In the regulatory assessment of chemicals (e.g. under REACH), (Q)SAR models are playing an increasingly important role in predicting properties for hazard and risk assessment.

The RSPCA list a number of Alternative approaches: the use of isolated cells and tissues, using computers and mathematics to model biological processes and predict the effects of chemicals and drugs, designing ways of doing experiments safely in human volunteers, using simple organisms, such as bacteria, to study basic biological processes
exploring new advanced technologies such as robotics, molecular techniques, tissue engineering and "organs-on-microchips", not doing the experiment at all is one option - we encourage greater consideration of whether animal use could be avoided through more critical ethical review.

NORINA is an English-language database containing information on over 3,500 audiovisual aids.

Below are articles on the subject of Alternatives. If you can't see what you are looking for other categories are displayed on the left under 'Our Quick Links'.

The primary aim of ECOPA is to promote "the three Rs" (Replacement, Reduction and Refinement) in the use of animals in research, testing, education and training in Europe.

This roadmap, vision and strategy for non-animal technologies in the UK has been drawn up by Innovate UK, the National Centre for the Replacement Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, the Defence, Science and Technology Laboratory, the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and the Medical Research Council, and has been published on their behalf by Innovate UK. It is intended to guide the efforts of all those working in this area. The issues outlined and the recommendations have come out of extensive discussions between the six organisations that are endorsing the roadmap and with many other key stakeholders.