POSITION PAPER ON THE 3Rs CONCEPT

In 1959, the British scientists W. Russell and R. Burch introduced the so-called 3Rs concept: Reduce, Replace, Refine. This principle is based on the premise that animal experimentation is, in principle, a valid method, which could be improved by replacing it with systems that cause no, or less, suffering, by reducing the number of animals used, or by refining procedures, for example by minimising pain and distress for the animals. Turning away from animal experimentation is not considered within this concept.

The ECEAE aims at the abolition of animal experiments altogether. Therefore, the Rs Reduction and Refinement are not acceptable. Animal experiments are fundamentally not a suitable means of gaining knowledge for medical research and are, moreover, morally indefensible. Measures that merely reduce the number of animals or alleviate their suffering amount to cosmetic adjustments to a flawed scientific system.

Even Replacement is only acceptable to a limited extent.

• The term ’replacement’ implies that animal experiments are, in principle, a suitable method for medical research and simply need to be substituted in order to yield results relevant to humans. However, this is not the case. In reality, animal experiments must be rejected not only for ethical reasons, but also because, from a scientific perspective, they are an unsuitable method that produces false or non-translatable results. This critical scientific dimension is not taken into account in the 3Rs philosophy.
• A replacement may be feasible and meaningful only in certain areas, such as toxicology or education and training. A large proportion of animal experiments cannot — and need not — be replaced at all because they are simply unnecessary. This is especially true of experiments in basic research. This type of research, often undertaken without a clear practical purpose, primarily serves the career of individual researchers and the satisfaction of scientific curiosity.
• Similarly, merely replacing animal experiments will not drive progress in medical research. A fundamentally flawed system is not improved by minor amendments. What medical research requires is a complete paradigm shift— one that does not rely on ‘animal models’ of human diseases which mirror the conditions in human patients completely inadequately.

The 3Rs concept is incapable of initiating or implementing the urgently needed paradigm shift in medicine and research. On the contrary, focussing on the 3Rs risks cementing animal experimentation for good, because it does not challenge the flawed principle of animal testing.

The ECEAE calls for the abolition of animal testing and experimentation to clear the way for a human-focused, sound research system, in which scientifically valid testing methods, epidemiological studies, and disease prevention take centre stage. Only in this way can medicine achieve true progress.