Animal testing in research

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Animals are used as model organisms in scientific and medical research at the University of Münster in order to be able to provide answers to scientific questions in a very wide range of research focuses. Husbandry and the use of laboratory animals are regulated by the Animal Welfare Act, and by more specific stipulations and corresponding guidelines, and are subject to constant checks by the authorities.

Animal testing in research is carried out in various faculties at Münster University. The faculties involved are those of Medicine (Faculty 5), Chemistry and Pharmacy (Faculty 12) and Biology (Faculty 13). Animal welfare, animal rights and animal ethics are aspects which are in the focus of every activity.

All animal data relating to the vertebrates used for scientific purposes are communicated annually, by the people actively involved in animal testing, to the Animal Welfare Team within the Occupational and Environmental Safety Department at the University of Münster. The data are collected and bundled and then reported in their final form to the relevant authorities.

The 3R Principle: Replace, Reduce, Refine

The reference guideline at Münster University is always the ethical “3R” principle: Replace, Reduce and Refine – also with regard to animal husbandry: the number of laboratory animals kept for testing purposes are reduced to the necessary minimum. The animals are kept in as species-appropriate a manner as possible. Handling them is only done by specially trained staff. Where possible, the animals are given preliminary training by people familiar to them. They learn, for example, to step onto scales voluntarily so that their body weight can be determined, stress-free, as part of a health check. The aim is that the animals should always feel safe in the rooms where they are kept.

The animated film by the transparency initiative “Understanding animal testing” explains the 3R principle and describes how it is put into practice in research.

Note

The photo material shown on this website serves to illustrate animal testing and husbandry at the University of Münster and does not depict all laboratory animals in their entirety at the University (see Facts and Figures).