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The use of animals in research, teaching and testing is an important ethical and political issue. Much of the discussion about this issue revolves around the relative value, often referred to as 'moral value', of humans and animals.

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. 

Over the past twenty years or so, there has been a ‘revolution’ in the life sciences,and our knowledge and capabilities have dramatically increased. At the same time, these advances have raised very important ethical concerns in both the scientific community and with the public at large.

Official Journal of the International Society for Applied Ethology (ISAE) An international journal reporting on the application of ethology to animals managed by humans.

A special report can be found on this page titled: Utility and Morality:Contemporary Tradeoffs. Within this report there is an article by Bernard E. Rollin titled The Moral Status of Invasive Animal 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.

Humane Endpoints Website is provided by 3Rs-Centre Utrecht Life Sciences, gives insight into the recognition and application of humane endpoints in rodents. The website contributes to refinement, the prevention of unnecessary suffering in laboratory animals, by offering information, videos and photographs of rodent species. In addition, the website provides free training modules (accessible after registration). The site is currently available in EN, NL and FR. DE and ES will follow soon.

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.

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 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.