Alternative methods to animal experiments – ongoing activities in Germany

Approximately a quarter of all animals used in the EU for scientific and regulatory purposes is used in Germany. This reflects Germany’s traditionally active role in basic and applied life science research, and in the development, safety assessment and quality control of medical, industrial and agricultural products and devices. The German government has early recognized the need to support the development of alternative methods to animal experiments according to the 3R principles (replacement, reduction and refinement) by Russel and Burch (1959). Since the 1980s, research projects intending to develop alternative methods were funded with a total volume of about 150 million Euros. In 1989, the National Centre for the Documentation and Evaluation of Alternatives to Animal Experiments (ZEBET) was founded at the BfR to pursue the 3R goal by supporting the development and validation of alternative methods, advising expert panels, and providing a forum for information and education. In addition, the new legal tasks derived from the Directive 2010/63/EU have been assigned to the BfR. At the same time industry and NGOs have continuously driven forward the implementation of the 3Rs in animal experiments with scientific and regulatory purpose. An overview of ongoing activities in Germany will be given