Laboratory animal research

Basic principles

When laboratory animal research is conducted, it is done responsibly. In order to do so, Radboudumc strives for the so-called 3Rs: replacement, reduction and refinement.

During each phase, we consider whether a research question can be answered without laboratory animals (replacing), with fewer animals (reducing) or with a reduced level of distress for the animals (refining). Every day we work from these basic principles and in close collaboration with members of the animal welfare body (AWB), biotechnicians and animal caretakers.

More information on 3Rs can be found in this file.

Leading the way in reducing

As Radboudumc and Radboud University, our ambition is to lead the way in developing and applying techniques and models that help us reduce the number of laboratory animals used in our experiments.

For example, we increasingly use alternatives to laboratory animals, such as computer simulations, cell models, organoids and organ-on-a-chip models derived from patients' cells. In addition, the application of molecular imaging techniques is receiving increasing attention. These are techniques in which biological processes such as cell division, gene expression, metabolism, cell migration and activity of enzymes can be studied quantitatively in a laboratory animal, non-invasively at multiple time points. This results in the use of fewer animals because more information can be obtained from one animal. Another important development is optimizing research with laboratory animals by better inventorising our current knowledge, such as by systematic reviews.

Examples of innovations without animal testing:

• Skin organoids by Ellen van den Bogaard
  • Check out this video by the Universiteit van Nederland (Dutch), in which Ellen explains which alternatives exist for animal testing, and what the advantages and disadvantages are.
• Computer simulations by Peter Friedl
• Organs on a chip (Dutch) by Nael Nadif Kasri

Legislation

The laws and regulations about animal testing have been expanded during the last decade. The legislation on animal experimentation in the Netherlands is described in the Animal Experiments Act, which is based on and goes beyond the European Directive 2010/63/EU.

Radboud University has a license to conduct scientific experiments with laboratory animals. The Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) regularly checks whether the animal experiments are conducted according to these laws and regulations.

Every institute licensed to conduct animal experiments annually reports on their experiments with laboratory animals. This information is collected nationally and published in the annual rapport ‘Zo Doende’, the NVWA's annual overview of animal experiments and laboratory animals. Radboud university medical center and Radboud University not only want to comply with the current laws and regulations, but we also actively work on new methods and insights to improve animal welfare and further reduce the use of laboratory animals.

Transparency on animal research

Radboudumc and Radboud University believe it is important to be open and transparent about their work with laboratory animals. Laboratory animals remain indispensable for certain types of biological and medical research. When laboratory animals are necessary, we can clearly demonstrate this through data, projects, and the documentation of protocols.

• UNL Code of Transparency for animal research

  Radboud University has signed the UNL Code of conduct titled “Code of Transparency for Animal Research" (in Dutch). This means that Radboud University presents its policy on animal research in an open and transparent manner and is accountable to society. In this context, for example, complete project permits from researchers at Radboudumc and Radboud University are published on the Central Animal Laboratory’s (CDL) website. This allows anyone to familiarize themselves with the details (objective, background, design, and implementation) of the experiments conducted at the Central Animal Laboratory. 

• Transparency agreement

  In 2022, Radboudumc and Radboud University signed the Animal Testing Transparency Agreement (in Dutch). This agreement was drafted by Dutch researchers in collaboration with the European Animal Research Association (EARA) and the Foundation for Information on Animal Research (Stichting Informatie Dierproeven, SID). The purpose of this agreement is to create a more open and transparent environment on animal research. Part of this agreement involves sharing our annual reports and our position on animal research. You can find this position on the Radboudumc website.

• Annual reports

  The value of animal resarch is a subject of public debate. Partly for this reason, effective communication about animal research is essential. We therefore present our figures annually in an annual report. The annual reports include the number of animal experiments and, in recent years, the number of laboratory animals. In addition, we provide insight into several key figures that explain why we conduct animal experiments, how we work with laboratory animals and adhere to the 3Rs, and how we are continuously improving our work with laboratory animals.

• Pre-registration of animal experiments

  To create a more open and transparent environment surrounding animal experiments, Radboudumc and Radboud University encourage the pre-registration of animal experiments. All experiments are registered, and all our researchers can easily publish their experimental protocols. The number of protocols is published annually in the annual report. Ultimately, they are all published on this website, preclinicaltrials.eu.