Animal research continues to play an important role in understanding human, animal and environmental health and disease. However, animal use remains a contentious issue because of questions around animal suffering and translational (to human) value. The 3Rs (the Replacement, Reduction and Refinement of animals in research) offers a framework to address these concerns and support more scientifically valid and humane alternatives and where when necessary refined animal research. Despite the increasing commitment of researchers to the 3Rs, there remain challenges in their widespread adoption across the biosciences.
The UK National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs) was established by the Government in 2004 to provide scientific leadership in the 3Rs. We support the commitment of the scientific community to the 3Rs by funding research and early career development, facilitating open innovation and the commercialisation of 3Rs technologies, and fostering a regulatory and scientific environment that supports the adoption of new approaches into practice. Here, using examples from across our portfolio I'll showcase the scientific, commercial and animal welfare benefits of applying the 3Rs and how NC3Rs' unique approach supports this.
Dr Anthony Holmes is Director of Science and Technology at the National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs; www.nc3rs.org.uk). He has strategic oversight of the science and technology supported through NC3Rs; ensuring that the NC3Rs has a long-term and sustainable strategy for supporting the best science and technology and its use in practice to achieve 3Rs and wider scientific and economic benefits. He also leads the CRACK IT open innovation programme. Anthony is Vice President and President-elect of the US Health and Environmental Sciences Institute (HESI), a member of the UK BioIndustry Association (BIA) Science and Innovation Advisory Committee, and a member of the iGEM Foundation's Safety and Security Committee. Anthony has a PhD from the University of Cambridge and worked as a post-doctoral researcher at the Babraham Institute, Cambridge exploring the molecular mechanisms behind calcium signaling pathways and their role in human health and disease.