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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.

The Swiss 3R Competence Centre (3RCC) promotes the 3Rs principle (replacement, reduction and refinement of animal experimentation) among the scientific community and the public. To facilitate the development and implementation of effective 3R methods and improve animal welfare it challenges research paradigms and creates innovative alternatives to animal use.

AALAS is an association of professionals that advances responsible laboratory animal care and use to benefit people and animals.

Vaccination of animals against disease protects them from suffering. However, this comes with an animal welfare cost - the safety and efficacy of vaccines is assessed in experimental animals and the tests involved can cause significant pain and distress. There is an ethical dilemma in protecting one set of animals at the expense of others but implementation of the 3Rs can help to resolve this. The research animals department works with researchers involved in vaccine testing and regulators to promote the 3Rs in this important area.

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.

Initiate activities that may lead to the immediate implementation of the 3Rs.

A volume in American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine.