Laboratory Animal Welfare and the 3Rs

Millions of animals are used in scientific research globally each year; the 3Rs framework — Replace, Reduce, Refine — provides the foundation for improving their welfare.

Key Facts

Approximately 192 million animals are used in research globally each year
The most commonly used species include mice, fish, rats, rabbits, and guinea pigs
The 3Rs (Replace, Reduce, Refine) were first proposed by Russell and Burch in 1959
Refinement improvements include better anaesthesia, analgesia, and humane endpoints
Alternative methods including organoids, organ-on-chip, and computer models are increasingly replacing animal tests

Welfare Considerations

Laboratory animals experience pain, fear, and distress through experimental procedures, housing conditions, and handling. The 3Rs framework provides a structured approach to reducing suffering: replacing animal use with non-animal methods where possible; reducing the number of animals used; and refining procedures to minimise pain and distress. Progress has been made but significant suffering remains, particularly in toxicology testing and surgical research. Enforcing existing regulations and investing in alternatives are the highest-leverage actions.

What You Can Do

Support organisations funding non-animal research methods
Advocate for mandatory adoption of 3Rs principles in research funding requirements
Choose cosmetics and household products from companies that do not test on animals
Support transparency in animal research through public reporting of animal use statistics
Engage with debates about the ethical oversight of animal research in your country