Application of the 3Rs to Promote the Welfare of Animals Used in Scientific Research and Testing

Dear Colleagues,

Effective application of the principles of the 3Rs is critical to the successful use of research animals. Studies should be conducted in as refined a manner as possible while reducing the required numbers as much as possible, or Replacing animal use either entirely or partially, such as by using species that are believed either to be non-sentient or to have low sentience capacity. The importance of this topic cannot be overemphasized, as applying the 3Rs provides the principal framework by which research and testing is conducted in an ethically sound manner. Indeed, their application is able to provide high-quality, potentially more reproducible data due to the avoidance of unnecessary suffering. Submissions from any research discipline are invited. Researchers may use any species in which either positive or negative findings further knowledge on refinement, on how to Reduce animal numbers using statistical methods or improved study designs, and ultimately, on how to Replace the use of animals in scientific testing and research. Submissions describing studies using new and/or advanced non-invasive procedures are particularly welcome.

Dr. Johnny Roughan
Dr. Laura Calvillo
Topic Editors