Overview: The 3Rs in Animal Research
William Russell and Rex Burch developed the concept of the 3Rs during the 1950s, and described them in their book The Principles of Humane Experimental Technique, published in 1959. An abridged version of the book, by Michael Balls (The Three Rs and the Humanity Criterion), is also available online.
The 3Rs - Replacement, Reduction and Refinement - are the cornerstone principles of responsible animal research. They guide researchers in choosing methods that minimise the use of animals, improve welfare, and promote high-quality, ethical science. However, it can often be difficult to understand how we can best implement the 3Rs, or know if we are following best practices. On the following pages, you’ll find resources, links and practical tips to help you apply the 3Rs in your own work.
Replacement
Replacement encourages researchers to use non-animal methods whenever scientifically possible. This includes approaches such as in vitro systems, organ-on-chip models, computer simulations, human volunteer studies and improved imaging technologies. Replacement does not mean avoiding valuable research, it means using the most humane and scientifically appropriate method available. In this section, you’ll find tools and guidance to help identify and implement effective alternatives.
- SMAFIRA is a free online tool that is intended to support biomedical researchers and animal welfare officers in their efforts to screen the literature database PubMed for candidate alternative methods to animal experiments.
- NC3Rs information and guidance on replacing animal-derived reagents and products to improve reproducibility and reduce animal use.
- RARs Replacement checklist is a series of questions that helps you ensure a thorough exploration of opportunities to avoid animal use has been performed.
- RAR also provide a tool for users to find researchers and lab resources to support the transition away from animal use.
Reduction
Reduction focuses on using the minimum number of animals necessary to achieve robust, meaningful results. It involves good experimental design, appropriate statistical planning, sharing data and tissues, and avoiding unnecessary duplication of work. Properly applied, Reduction improves both efficiency and scientific quality. This section will offer resources and strategies for designing studies that answer questions clearly while using fewer animals.
- NC3Rs Experimental Design Assistant is a tool can be used to aid in designing efficient experiments, that use the minimum number of animals necessary.
- G*Power is a tool to compute statistical power analyses for many different statistical tests, this can be useful to estimate how many animals you will need in order to detect a meaningful statistical effect.
- NC3Rs breeding and colony management guide provides practice guidance for optimising the use of animals and avoiding wastage
- SHADE is an application that provides support in designing experiments and includes a tool to perform power analysis for usual test statistics
Refinement
Refinement aims to minimise pain, distress and discomfort for animals and enhance their overall wellbeing throughout their lives. It includes improvements to procedures, handling techniques, housing, enrichment, training, endpoints and monitoring. Refinement benefits both animals and people: better welfare reduces variability, improves data quality, and supports the emotional wellbeing of staff and students. In this section, we share practical guidance, evidence-based refinements and species-specific resources.
- The 3Hs Initiative focuses on the lifetime experience of laboratory mice and rats and methods which increase their positive affective experiences and reduce cumulative suffering. The 3Hs are Housing, Handling and Habituation.
- Check out the NC3Rs free refined mouse handling course: an e-learning course which includes a series of lessons and knowledge checks.
- Research Animal Training provide guidelines and protocols for many of the most commonly practiced procedures, such as injections, oral gavage, handling and surgery.
- Check out using playpens and ballpits for laboratory rodent enrichment.
- Read about improving zebrafish laboratory welfare and scientific research or the impact of environmental enrichment in zebrafish.
- Read about environmental enrichment for laboratory rodents and rabbits and environmental enrichment for laboratory rodents.
- The minimum space allocations for laboratory mice in the UK are given in tables 2-2-1 to 2-2-4 of the Code of Practice for the Housing and Care of Animals Bred, Supplied or Used for Scientific Purposes
To raise any concerns related to the use of animals at the University of Glasgow, or any other issues that may arise in UoG animal facilities go to the Biological Services home page (may require login) and click 'Raise a concern' on the right-hand side.