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Alternatives to Animal Experiments
that can comprehensively demonstrate expertise in the
relevant areas and that is independent in its activities;
in other words, the work of the Bf3R is not influenced by
political, economic or social interests.
What does the abbreviation “Bf3R” stand for?
The abbreviation expresses the affiliation with the BfR
and also makes reference to the “3R principle” according
to Russell and Burch. These three Rs stand for “Replace”,
“Reduce” and “Refine” – “Replace” is geared towards
completely replacing animal experiments, “Reduce” to-
wards reduction in overall the number of experiments,
and “Refine” at the mitigation of the pain or suffering of
animals used in experiments.
The number of animal experiments can be reduced with
the help of alternative methods, but also through the
painstaking biometric planning of animal experiments
and through systematic analysis of literature before con-
ducting any experiments. If it is still necessary to expose
animals to pain and suffering in an experiment that is ab-
solutely essential, then all measures must be taken to re-
duce this pain and suffering to a minimum.
What is the background of the employees of the Bf3R?
The Bf3R makes the BfR even more interdisciplinary, with
representatives of the natural sciences, veterinary medi-
cine, human medicine, engineering and law all working
closely together.
Every single animal that doesn't have
to be used in an experiment is an animal
that experiences less suffering and less pain.
3R Principle for Alternative Methods
Animal Experiments
Alternative Methods
For example by using cells and/or skin models
Animal
experiment-free test:
Effect of chemical
substances on skin
health under the
influence of light
Animal
experiment-free test
to check for skin
irritations
Cells
Reconstructed models of
human skin
Test substance
Skin irritation:
yes/no?
Test substance
± UV-light
Damage of cells:
yes/no?
R
eplace
(with
alternative
methods)
R
efine
(minimise pain
and suffering
of laboratory
animals)
R
educe
(the number
of laboratory
animals)
3R Principle for Alternative Methods
www.bf3r.de© German Centre for the Protection of Laboratory Animals (Bf3R), 2015
nts
ds
models
Animal
experiment-free test:
Effect of chemical
substances on skin
health under the
influence of light
Cells
R
eplace
(with
alternative
methods)
3R Principle for Alternative Methods
www.bf3r.de© German Centre for the Protection of Laboratory Animals (Bf3R), 2015