European Animal Research Association (EARA)’s Post

500 research institutions reach out to society to explain why and how they use animals in research. Scientists showing responsibility towards society are struggling every day to perform life saving research against activists who driven by their ideology claim that animals can be replaced right here and now. National Transparency Agreements has been signed by 500 biomedical institutions in Europe, creating a network of organizations dedicated to the same objective: more openness and transparency about animal research. Learn more about it and how you could participate: https://lnkd.in/eRtdMjHt

The 6th annual report of the Transparency Agreement on Animal Research (TA) in Spain has been published today! The report of Confederación de Sociedades Científicas de España (COSCE), prepared by EARA, highlights that there are now 166 signatory institutions that are part of the agreement (making it the largest TA in the world), and that more than three-quarters of signatory respondents have participated in scientific dissemination activities, while 86% have provided access to external visitors, both of which are up from the year before. Commenting on these improvements to openness, EARA executive director, Kirk Leech, said: “It is impressive to see the continued growth of Spain’s Transparency Agreement on animal research and how more and more institutions are becoming confident about discussing their use of animals in biomedical research.” Read more: https://lnkd.in/ekxAYbx5 #TransparencyAgreement #AnimalResearch #OpenAnimalResearch #EARA

📣There are still some spots available for the event "Ambition vs Realism" in Utrecht, on December 12th, during which I will chair a session on preregistration. Should or shouldn't we preregister? What are the hurdles? What can we learn to accelerate the transition? All these questions will be discussed! If you're interested, register with the link below and join the session!

All credit to Jarrod Bailey for an eloquent and thoughtful opinion piece on the role of the 3Rs! I would just like to point out one possible misconception: he quotes my paper (ref. 62) to back up a statement (on the subject of the need to focus on human rather than animal biology) that 'either the evidence is largely overlooked, or there is a belief that these issues can be overcome with better experimental technique and/or analysis (ref. 61–64) and/or genetic modification (ref. 16,65). This is in stark contrast to other scientific and engineering disciplines that try to rigorously challenge their models, and alter their approaches, based on solid data.' My paper describes the PREPARE guidelines (https://lnkd.in/d5YKB-5) which start with focus on what Jarrod wishes: better evaluation of the necessity, ethical acceptability, legality and translatability of the planned study. PREPARE highlights the need for a thorough literature search. PREPARE stands therefore in contrast to reporting guidelines, whose primary aim is to improve animal studies. My paper includes the statement: 'An assessment of the need to use animals at all must therefore be the first stage of the process when planning preclinical research or testing'.

Proactively talking about animal research to the general public... ...biomedical organisations do that more and more often now. Partially because they are taking that challenge in a team, they are no longer alone in doing so. 500 biomedical institutions in Europe have signed a National Transparency Agreement, thus forming a network of institutions that commit to the same goal: being more open about animal research. These institutions have improved the information on their website, talk more openly with the media, invite the media, politicians or other groups to their facilities, host Q&A's on social media. And they share their experience with each other. As a group, they grow and learn much faster than each individual organisation ever could. Curious to read more? 👇 https://lnkd.in/eHdpzq2h #AnimalResearch #Transparency #EARA #BiomedicalResearch

We knew that there were problems in animal labs when our clients brought this issue up to us way back in 2017, but we didn't realize at the time that the NIH was also noticing the same problems. In 2022, ORIP (Office of Research Infrastructure Programs) organized a workshop titled "Enhance Rigor and Reproducibility in Animal Research by Managing Extrinsic Factors". Even we didn't know how on the mark SenSV was for managing this problem! Check out our blog post here all about this workshop https://lnkd.in/gGP35zQS

Using animal-free methods of research is better for humans, better for animals, more cost-effective and better for the environment. Despite Australia’s commitment to the application of the 3Rs principles of replace, reduce, and refine, Australia has made no specific funding commitment. With growing concern within the research community that animal studies are contributing to failures in translational research, this is an area which requires urgent investment. https://lnkd.in/g_u8U5xp

Researchers, policimakers, funders of biomedical research, you might want to join us! Find out what it takes to change your research practice towards non animal models. Watch the preview: Webinar (free) 29/2 13h15-15h00 - TEN HELPATHONS - organizing trust

EARA recently published an article celebrating the milestone of 500 European institutions signing on to a Transparency Agreement on Animal Research. Here is a breakdown of the signatories in Europe, which now has eight Transparency Agreements (there are ten worldwide). These bold initiatives to to increase understanding and acceptance of animals used in biomedical research commit signatories to communicate directly with the public, the media and politicians, to become more transparent about their use of animals and explain why this work is necessary and important. Check out the article, where the coordinators of the Agreements describe the impact as well as future challenges: https://lnkd.in/euaP8x_u #animalresearch #transparencyagreement #scicomm #openness #biomedicalresearch #animaltesting #lifesciences #animalexperimentation #Europe #EUregulations #EARA

Animal research is essential for medical advancements but often misunderstood. Allentown's upcoming webinar will highlight the importance of animal research and the positive effects of global transparency initiatives. Discover how you can contribute to building public understanding and acceptance of this crucial work. #AnimalResearch #MedicalAdvancements #Webinar #GlobalTransparency