Biological and medical research is carried out using numerous technologies and methods at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and Amsterdam UMC. This research includes studies on the functioning of the brain and the immune system and diseases such as cancer or multiple sclerosis. There are still no suitable, successful methods of treatment known for many disorders and, furthermore, some methods work for some people, but not for others. Further research is essential if we, as a society, want to find treatments, or better treatments, for these disorders too.
Besides experiments with cell and artificial tissue culture techniques, big data and computer simulations, animal procedures also have to be used. We use them in our degree programmes as well.
Laboratory animals are only used if there are absolutely no alternatives. The need for the research must be clear, interests are weighed up unambiguously, strict statutory requirements are met (see below) and the '3 Rs', standing for replacement, reduction and refinement, are incorporated when animal procedures are set up and applied where possible. An Animal Welfare Body also carries out supervision and provides support.
Strict statutory regulations
A licence must be granted by the Central Authority for Scientific Procedures on Animals (CCD) for every research project involving animal procedures. To this end, the CCD requests advice from a specialised advisory committee, the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (DEC). The DEC assesses whether the importance of the research weighs up against the use of laboratory animals and their discomfort.
When weighing up interests, the CCD and the DEC distinguish between scientific and social interests:
- Scientific interests might include how the information collected via the animal procedure in question can contribute to the further growth of significant knowledge.
- Social interests might include the benefits the outcomes of the animal procedures will yield for society. This is the case, for example, if an animal procedure is a step on the way to the development of a new medicine or therapy.More information soon.