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Introduction
The European Commission is fully committed to the welfare of animals and to achieving our final goal: the full replacement of animals used in research with suitable alternatives. This commitment is clearly expressed in EU Directive 2010/63, which deals with the protection of animals used for scientific purposes. At the same time, in order to protect people, animals and the environment, EU legislation requires us to ensure the safety and efficacy of new pharmaceutical products, the safety of chemicals (including plant protection products and herbicides), and the safety of food and feed products. Meeting these obligations requires great consideration and care.
Contrary to the petitioners' claim that animal research has only limited value, the fact is that animal studies have made a significant contribution to improving health and quality of life around the world, as well as to longer life expectancy. Today there are many effective treatments for a large number of pathogens, for certain types of cancer, and for some chronic diseases such as diabetes. Such scientific progress would not have been possible without the insights gained through the use of animals in research. In addition, EU law requires studies of this kind before clinical trials in humans can be approved, and in order to protect public health and the environment.
Strengths and weaknesses of using animals as research models
The European Commission recognizes that using animals as research models, like any other research tool, has strengths and weaknesses that depend on the questions being studied. For example, zebrafish are an excellent model for studying the developmental processes of more complex organisms. Mice are a very informative model for learning about many genetic diseases in humans, such as hearing and vision disorders and bone problems. However, they are of only limited value in studying other diseases, such as Ebola or AIDS.
Technological progress has revolutionized biomedical research and brought new opportunities to improve human knowledge, for example the ability to sequence the genomes of organisms, computational tools for analyzing biological processes, and tools for imaging the complex mechanisms of health and disease. Innovative research tools now available include 3D printing of human tissue and even the creation of small reconstructed organs. These major breakthroughs make it possible to develop alternatives based mainly on cell or tissue cultures and on computational methods, which will make it possible to replace, reduce and refine the use of animals in research.
These and other tools are described in a publication from the scientific conference organized by the European Commission in December 2016. Its aim was to involve the relevant scientific community and stakeholders in discussing how to use progress and innovation in research in general, and in biomedical research in particular, to develop scientifically valid research approaches that do not involve the use of animals.
The Commission is currently organizing another conference, which has been postponed to the end of 2020 because of the coronavirus crisis. Its aim is to promote the use of research models that do not involve animals, and to present this approach to a targeted audience of academics, researchers, educators, industry, authorities and non-governmental organizations.
Translation: Let the Patients Live
Directive 2010/63/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 September 2010 on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes Text with EEA relevance, OJ L 276, 20.10.2010, p. 33–79