Overview
There are 3Rs centres and other national and regional initiatives across the EU and internationally that advance the reduction, replacement and refinement (Three Rs) of animal use for scientific purposes. Common interests include the identification of key priorities:
- reduce animal use in biomedical research (including addressing concerns related to the increasing use of transgenic animals)
- communication and dissemination of knowledge and information on the 3Rs
- education and training at undergraduate, postgraduate and professional levels
- validation of methods towards their use in regulatory safety assessment
- understanding for example how in vitro models (e.g. engineered tissue) can be developed and promoted as key enabling biotechnology to stimulate innovation and growth in a variety of sectors
Collaboration at European level
In addition there are several initiatives at EU or European level where partners pool knowledge and resources to advance the Three Rs and the development, validation and acceptance of alternative approaches through collaboration.
Inventory of the 3Rs knowledge sources
A detailed inventory of 800 knowledge sources related to the Three Rs of animal procedures used for scientific purposes has been compiled by JRC scientists.
