Animal experiments

Hubrecht Institute for Developmental Biology and Stem Cell Research

Researchers at the Hubrecht Institute study how embryos develop from fertilised egg to organism. They also study what happens after damage to organs such as the heart and pancreas. The researchers amass fundamental knowledge about inherited disorders and diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and heart failure. Among other things, their research provides leads for developing new treatment methods. The researchers use stem cells, mice, rats, spiny mice, gerbils, zebrafish, frogs, insects, roundworms, and organoids.

Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience

The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience studies how a healthy brain works and where and how things can go wrong within the brain. The scientists amass knowledge that can be used to develop improved therapies for Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, blindness, depression, anxiety disorders, paraplegia, and strokes. Whenever possible they use human donor material or cultured cells. They also use mice, rats, zebrafish, and rhesus monkeys.

Netherlands Institute of Ecology

The Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW) carries out research on the interaction between animals and plants and their environment. Amongst other things, the researchers study how plants and animals adapt, and they investigate the variation within populations. The research involves various species of birds, such as great tits, blue tits, and house sparrows. The institute also houses the Dutch Centre for Avian Migration and Demography, which directs the work of 580 bird ringers. The ringers, most of them volunteers, catch and ring birds for scientific research.

Using animals in research is a complex matter and highly regulated in the Animal Experiments Act (Wet op de dierproeven). The interests of scientific research and the harm done to the animals are weighed up carefully. That is neither simple nor straightforward, especially when the research is of a fundamental nature, with outcomes that are sometimes uncertain or difficult to measure, or will only become available in the future, whereas the harm done to the animals is obvious and immediate. The costs and benefits are therefore not always easy to weigh up, and lead to discussion.

The Academy considers such discussion important, and wishes to contribute actively to debate regarding the usefulness and necessity of animal experiments. It strives for open, proactive communication by explaining how its researchers select their objectives and why they utilise particular methods. The Academy also communicates the outcomes of its research to a wide audience. Such openness, however, must never be at the expense of researchers' safety or the confidential nature of research data. That means constantly striking a balance between these considerations.

The Academy's position is that research involving animal experiments is still indispensable in order to understand some complex bodily functions in living organisms, or when the research is aimed at understanding animals in their natural environment. The Academy endorses the basic premise of the Dutch Animal Experiments Act, namely “No, unless”. In other words, animal experiments may only be carried out if there is no other way to answer the research question and if the importance of the research outweighs the discomfort experienced by the animals involved. In addition, the research must of course comply with the strict conditions set out in the legislation. Whenever research involving animals is necessary, and of sufficient importance, it must be carried out with the utmost care.

The Academy aims to replace animal experiments with alternatives wherever possible. When that is not possible, the Academy aims to reduce the number of animals used and refine procedures so that the degree of suffering for the animals is reduced to a minimum. This approach is referred to as the “Three Rs”, namely Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement. The Academy also supports the Three Rs policy within its own research organisation by means of a dedicated fund. Researchers from within the organisation can apply for funding for projects that contribute to replacing, reducing, and/or refining animal experiments. Animal welfare is a responsibility that applies to everyone involved with animals. The Academy encourages and requires that researchers and animal care staff (technicians, those who care for the animals, veterinarians) treat animals with respect, expertise, and responsibility. The welfare of the animals depends not only on the quality of the procedures concerned and on professional competence but also on a respectful and empathetic attitude towards animals.

The Netherlands has a rigorous system of ethical review and enforcement regarding animal experiments by four statutory bodies, namely the Animal Welfare Bodies (IvD), the Animal Experiments Commissions (DEC), the Central Committee for Animal Experiments (CCD), and the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA). Together, these ensure that laboratory animals in the Netherlands are handled with great care and expertise, and that there is sufficient consideration of the inherent value of the animal.

Using animals in scientific experiments is only permitted in the Netherlands subject to strict conditions, and can only take place if the researchers have a permit for their project from the CCD. Before deciding whether to issue a permit, the CCD receives a serious statement of opinion from a DEC. The Academy has set up its own DEC, made up of independent experts, to review the ethics of project applications from Academy researchers and to advise the CCD accordingly.

The DEC’s statement of opinion to the CCD as to whether or not to issue a permit consists of a careful assessment of, on the one hand, the importance and feasibility of the stated aims of the experiments and, on the other, of the harm caused to the animals involved. The DEC also checks whether the proposed experiments comply with all the statutory frameworks. The DEC assesses whether the aim of the project cannot be achieved without animals or perhaps with other animals, and whether no more animals will be used than are strictly necessary. Finally, the DEC considers whether the experimental design causes no more than unavoidable suffering.

Every organisation or permit holder where animal experiments are carried out is also required to establish an Animal Welfare Body (IvD). This internal committee advises staff and monitors animal welfare. It supervises applications for project permits and the implementation of projects after such permits have been issued. The IvD is made up of scientists, animal welfare specialists, and veterinarians. The Academy has set up three Animal Welfare Bodies; one for each Academy institute where animal experiments are carried out. These assess the detailed descriptions of the proposed animal experiments and ensure the highest quality and relevance of animal research with the highest possible level of animal welfare. They also determine whether the objective and intended procedures with the animals are in line with the project permit. For questions about the role and work of the IvDs or the DEC, please e-mail knaw-fao@knaw.nl.

Animal welfare staff is always available to minimise animal suffering and to train researchers in new techniques and procedures. It is important for both animal welfare and science that the requirements regarding the care and use of animals are amply met, according to good veterinary practice and veterinary advice.

All staff involved in animal experiments must also be authorised to do so by law. This means that these individuals must hold the appropriate diplomas and certificates recognised in the Netherlands. There are extensive training requirements for this, depending on the role individuals play in a research project. The requirements relate to appropriate, demonstrable experience and competencies, which are kept up to date through specific lifelong learning. The NVWA carries out inspections at institutions to check that authorisations and permits are in order and that the work is carried out according to the legal requirements.

The Academy believes that any institution that conducts animal experiments also has a responsibility to build a culture in which the entire organisation works to constantly improve animal welfare, scientific quality, staff care and stakeholder transparency, supported by a culture of open communication about dilemmas, problems, and successes. This is referred to internationally as a “culture of care”.

To improve and promote this culture within the Academy’s research organisation, an Academy-wide platform around culture of care was established in 2021. The Academy’s Culture of Care Platform ensures

1. the exchange of information between the different parts of the organisation;
2. communication regarding problems and arrangements for solutions;
3. clarification of responsibilities and action to be taken;
4. monitoring and reporting on improvements in such action;
5. continuous efforts to improve the welfare of animals and the three Rs.