The DPZ conducts animal research with primates. Due to their evolutionary proximity to humans, they are particularly suitable as model animals for some research questions. The transferability of the results to humans is particularly high here. At the same time, their use in research entails high ethical requirements. Animal welfare is therefore a central concern of the DPZ. All persons working with the animals are obliged to observe the legal regulations and to treat the animals entrusted to them responsibly in accordance with the ethical guidelines. After all, usable and reproducible results can only be achieved with healthy animals in a stress-free environment.
If you have any questions about animal welfare, please contact tierschutz(at)dpz.eu.
Replace, Reduce, Refine - the 3Rs principle
The three words “replace,” “reduce,” and “refine” describe the most important ethical principles in experimental scientific work with laboratory animals. The so-called “3Rs” aim to replace animal experiments with alternatives, limit the number of laboratory animals, and reduce the stress on the animals to an unavoidable minimum.
The “3Rs principle” was developed by British zoologist William Russel and microbiologist Rex Burch. In 1959, they formulated their concept for animal welfare-compliant and ethically justified research in the book “The Principles of Humane Experimental Technique.”
Today, the 3R principle forms the basis for the use of laboratory animals in research. Compliance with this principle is a prerequisite for the official approval of animal experiments and also forms the basis of the EU Animal Welfare Directive 2010/63/EU from 2010 (Article 4: “Principle of replacement, reduction, and refinement”). In 2013, the provisions of the EU Directive and thus also the 3R principle were transposed into German law with the amended Animal Welfare Act and the Animal Welfare Laboratory Animal Ordinance.
Replace
Whenever possible, animal experiments must be replaced by alternative methods. Every scientist is obliged to check in advance whether his or her research questions can be answered using cell cultures, computer simulations, or imaging techniques. However, “replace” also means always using the least developed animal species. This means, where possible, working with invertebrates such as fruit flies, or with fish and amphibians instead of rabbits, dogs, or monkeys.
Reduce
All researchers must reduce the number of experiments and the number of animals to the necessary minimum. This can be achieved, for example, by optimizing their methods and statistical calculations, selecting suitable laboratory animals for the respective research question, coordinating research projects, exchanging data and tissue samples, and ensuring that similar experiments are not repeated through good international coordination.
Refine
Refine means refining the research methods in such a way that the stress on the laboratory animals is reduced to a minimum, for example through the use of anesthetics and painkillers. Training the animals and thus slowly accustoming them to the experimental procedures and research equipment helps to avoid stress. In addition, animal-friendly husbandry and the professional competence of the people who handle the animals promote the welfare of the laboratory animals.
The fourth “R”
The scientists at the DPZ are committed to conducting their research on and with non-human primates in accordance with animal welfare principles based on the “3R principle.” They are aware of the great responsibility they have for the welfare of the laboratory animals entrusted to them and for the competent conduct of the experiments. For the scientists at the DPZ, there is therefore a fourth “R,” which stands for the responsibility that all persons involved in the experiment have toward the animals.
Laws and regulations
Germany has one of the strictest animal protection laws in the world. In no other EU country does animal welfare have constitutional status - in Germany it was included as a national objective in the Basic Law (Article 20a) in 2002.
On November 9, 2010, the European Union (EU) Directive 2010/63 on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes (Laboratory Animals Directive) came into force. Like other member states, Germany has transposed it into national law. In 2012, the Federal Government and the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection submitted drafts to amend the Animal Welfare Act and to issue a corresponding Animal Welfare Experimental Animals Ordinance. The Bundestag passed the amendment to the Animal Welfare Act on December 13, 2012. On February 1, 2013, the Bundesrat decided not to convene the Mediation Committee. The Third Act Amending the Animal Welfare Act thus came into force and officially entered into force on July 13, 2013. The associated ordinance is now also legally valid.
Paragraphs 4, 8a, 9, 11a, 16 and 18 explicitly mention non-human primates. The animal welfare officers at the DPZ ensure that the Animal Welfare Act is complied with.
Animal welfare officer
The animal welfare officers ensure that all legal regulations are complied with in terms of animal welfare. They also advise and support all persons who work with the animals in all matters relating to animal welfare and laboratory animal science. The animal welfare officers are already involved in the planning of experiments and the application process. The application is only submitted to the competent authority once the animal welfare officer has approved the application and written a statement. Another task of the animal welfare officers is to ensure that alternative and supplementary methods are (further) developed and used. In addition, they promote the training and further education of all employees involved in laboratory animal science.
The animal welfare officer thus has the task of internal self-monitoring and is not subject to directives in the performance of his/her duties. He/she acts as an intermediary between animal welfare and animal experiments, between the authorities and the scientific institution, between legal requirements and scientists involved in animal experiments, and instructs employees at his/her institution on how to act in an animal welfare-friendly manner.
Animal Welfare Committee
The Animal Welfare Officers are supported in their activities by the Animal Welfare Committee. Members of this committee are all animal welfare officers of the DPZ, one scientist from each research area of the DPZ who conducts animal experiments and the head of animal care.
The Animal Welfare Committee reviews all work processes and monitors the animal experiments and their impact on the animals used. In addition, the members of the Animal Welfare Committee advise the scientists on how animals can be accommodated after the end of the experiment if no further use is planned and the animals' state of health permits this.
Application and approval procedures
If scientists are dependent on animal experiments for their research, they must first write an application in which they explain exactly which experiments they are planning, which animal species and how many animals they want to use for the experiment and what is to happen to the animals after the experiment. In addition, proof must be provided that all technical and personnel requirements for the experiment have been met. It is particularly important that the application explains in detail why the experiment is ethically justified, i.e. why the possible pain, suffering or harm to the animal is justifiable with regard to the expected medical benefit or gain in knowledge. It must also be explained that the scientific question has not yet been answered, i.e. the animal experiment has not already been carried out for this purpose. Compliance with the 3Rs principle must also be plausibly recognizable. The experiment may only be carried out if it cannot be replaced by any alternative (replacement), only as many animals may be used as are absolutely necessary (reduction) and the animals may only be subjected to pain, suffering or harm to the extent that is absolutely essential for the purpose of the experiment (refinement).
The application is first submitted to the Animal Welfare Committee (1). The Animal Welfare Committee exists in every scientific institute that works with laboratory animals and is made up of scientists, animal welfare officers and animal care staff. The committee reviews the application, clarifies any questions that arise in dialog with the researcher and makes suggestions for improvement if necessary (2). The revised application is then sent to the responsible state authority with a statement from the animal welfare officer (3). The authority also contacts the researcher to clarify any questions or uncertainties (4). It examines the application for completeness and comprehensibility of the research project and is advised by an independent animal experimentation committee (5). Experienced veterinarians, scientists and doctors as well as members of animal welfare organizations are represented on this committee. They support the authority in the approval process and by making a recommendation (6). If all requirements are met, the authority finally approves the experiment. If necessary, it can impose conditions such as a reduced number of animals or a change in methodology (7).
Ethical guidelines at the DPZ
When it comes to solving biomedical problems, humans cannot do without scientific research on animals, but at the same time, the ethical principle of respect for life requires us to protect animals. This applies in particular to non-human primates, whose evolutionary proximity to humans allows the findings obtained from them to be transferred to humans with a particularly high degree of accuracy, but whose use in research must also meet particularly high ethical standards. Against this background and well aware of its special role as a center of expertise and reference, the German Primate Center (DPZ) has developed guidelines for the responsible treatment of animals, which are binding for DPZ employees and all others working at the DPZ.
Employee welfare in animal experimentation
Working with animals poses special challenges for researchers, veterinarians, and animal caretakers on a daily basis. People working in the field of laboratory animal science in particular have a high workload, which can lead to mental and physical impairments. The animal research community is therefore increasingly focusing on a “culture of care” that aims to promote animal welfare, research quality, and employee well-being as high priorities. The DPZ regularly holds lectures, workshops, and training courses on this topic for all employees involved in animal research.