Millions of animals are used in biomedical research annually, with welfare standards governed by the 3Rs framework — Replace, Reduce, and Refine — that drives continuous improvement.
Research animal welfare involves a calculated trade-off: individuals experience experimental procedures to generate knowledge that may benefit many. The 3Rs framework systematically reduces this trade-off by requiring alternatives where available, minimising numbers used, and refining procedures to minimise suffering. UK regulation is among the most stringent globally, requiring named animal care officers, ethics review, and annual reporting. However, millions of animals still experience significant suffering in research that is sanctioned as justified.