topic Research

Alternatives to animal testing

At present, it is not possible to fully forgo animal testing, and nor is this likely to become an option in the near future. Testing seems indispensable as part of the regulated procedure of the authorization of drugs and chemicals or in the research into new diagnostic methods or medical therapies. German animal protection law ensures that animal testing may only be carried out when absolutely necessary and if the intended purpose cannot be achieved by other means. The purpose of experiments conducted on vertebrates must also be ethically defensible. Every case of animal testing is reviewed by an approval authority prior to actual execution.

In order to contain the number of animal experiments and keep the stress or pain exerted on animals to an absolute minimum, the BMBF has been funding research projects that seek to develop alternative methods, or to avoid animal testing altogether, since 1980. As a result, some 400 projects with a total funding volume of 120 million euros have been carried out. These projects have included the development and optimization of in vitro models based on cell or tissue cultures as well as various imaging techniques. A number of alternative methods have already been approved by the authorities.

The so-called "3Rs" principle has served as the scientific foundation for these research projects (Russel, Burch 1959). The goal of this time-honoured principle is to forgo animal testing whenever possible by replacing it with alternative methods. Insofar as this is unfeasible, the number of tests and animals per experiment must be reduced to a minimum. Moreover, refinement of animal testing methods is aimed at mitigating the suffering of laboratory animals and to thus gain as much information as possible from each experiment.

In a recent evaluation commissioned to the Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research (ISI) by the BMBF, "Alternatives to Animal Testing" was described as a funding priority whose continuity and budget are unique in the world. The many successful projects and the outstanding quality of scientific work are proof of the funding measure's success, which also results in advancing the cause of animal welfare.

The funding regulations were redrafted in order to further increase the effectiveness of funding activities and to adapt to the requirements of the field. These regulations entered into force on 17 June 2011. The results of the evaluation and the options for action illustrated will serve to further advance the timely and sweeping translation of results into practice. The projects will be monitored continuously to ensure that the '3Rs' are implemented as effectively as possible. Provisions have been made in this respect to guarantee the timely and ongoing cooperation of the relevant authorities and users.