3Rs and related concepts

Animal ethics

3Rs and related concepts

At Charles Sturt University, we follow the Australian Code for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes.

This code guides us in treating animals ethically in research and teaching.

The key principles are the 3Rs

Respect for animals is crucial. We only use animals when necessary, ensure their wellbeing, and minimise harm. Every project is reviewed ethically to balance benefits and animal impact. This respect is shown throughout the animal's entire life, from acquisition to the end of their use.

R 1

Replacement

Means using other methods instead of animals when possible.

  • Is it necessary to use live animals at all?
  • Have you explored the use of non-animal alternatives?

Alternatives might include:

  • epidemiological data,
  • physical and chemical analysis,
  • computer, mathematical and inanimate synthetic models,
  • simulations,
  • in vitro systems,
  • non-sentient organisms,
  • cadavers, and clinical cases.

Is there another suitable species that scientific evidence suggests is less able to feel pain?

R 2

Reduction

Aims to use the fewest animals needed for reliable results.

  • Are you using enough animals to support the activity but not more than necessary?
  • Have you applied statistical modelling to support the number of animals needed?
  • Will the number of animals allow valid statistical conclusions? Using too few animals can cause ethical and welfare problems.
  • Are there enough animals to secure a reasonable student to animal ratio? The ratio should both support the learning experience and animal welfare. In some cases, using more animals might be appropriate. More animals will allow less students and/or activities per animal. This can improve the learner experience and lessen welfare impact on individual animals.
  • Have you considered re-using animals to decrease the total number of animals used? You will have to weigh the increased impact on individuals against the reduced total. You must consider adverse effects on the wellbeing of individuals. This must include the lifetime experience of the individual animal.
  • If animals are to be re-used this must not result in greater harm to the animals used. This includes pain and distress.
R 3

Refinement

Focuses on improving techniques to reduce animal pain and distress.

  • Have you made efforts to improve the welfare of the animals if practicable? It is important to aspire to positive welfare, rather than just avoiding poor welfare.
  • Have you identified all potential impacts on the animals’ welfare? Some examples include, but are not limited to:
    • sensory impacts (olfactory, visual, auditory, taste in some activities, tactile),
    • constraints on mobility,
    • social impacts (e.g. isolation of social species, mixing of unfamiliar animals),
    • ability to express a range of normal behaviours,
    • human-animal interactions,
    • pain,
    • suffering,
    • disease and injury.
  • Have you made efforts to avoid or minimise the impacts identified?
  • Pain and suffering can alter an animal’s behaviour, physiology and immunology. These changes can lead to variations in experimental results. Variations can impair the reliability and repeatability of studies.
  • If the impacts are unavoidable, have you made efforts to mitigate their effects? For example, using behavioural modification techniques such as counter-conditioning and habituation? These methods may allow the use of less restraint or less forceful restraint. They may also make situations less aversive for the animals.
  • If analgesia or anaesthesia is necessary, have you consulted with an anaesthetist?
  • Have you considered recent advances in analgesia/anaesthesia?

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