Avoiding animal experiments: an opportunity for science, medicine and consumer protection

The abbreviation "3R" is short for Replace, Reduce, Refine. Today, 8 November 2018, experts from the fields of science, politics, trade and industry and public authorities gathered in Berlin"s Rotes Rathaus to present their work and discuss new perspectives at the "4^th symposium on alternatives to experiments with animals". One important realisation here was that intelligent new approaches not only benefit animal welfare, they also help to advance science, medicine and consumer protection. The organiser of the symposium, which was held in line with the motto "Avoiding animal experiments: Berlin - capital city of 3R" were the Berlin Office for Health and Social Affairs (LAGeSo) and the German Centre for the Protection of Laboratory Animals at the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR).

"I am convinced that Berlin can transform itself from the capital city of animal tests to the capital city of alternative methods," said Margit Gottstein, Berlin’s Secretary of State for Consumer Protection and Antidiscrimination.

Since 2008, LAGeSo has shown particular commitment to the promotion of alternatives to animal tests and is bringing universities, research institutions, politics, animal welfare organisations and commercial companies to the table. LAGeSo President Franz Allert had the following to say about this: "Initial successes in the implementation of the 3R concept can already be seen in Berlin in the significantly reduced number of animal tests in 2017".

"Alternatives to animal tests and medical progress are not contradictory terms, they can develop together," says Professor Dr. Dr. Andreas Hensel, President of the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR).

About the BfR

The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) is a scientifically independent institution within the portfolio of the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) in Germany. It advises the Federal Government and Federal Laender on questions of food, chemical and product safety. The BfR conducts its own research on topics that are closely linked to its assessment tasks.

Contacts:

• LAGeSo press office: presse@lageso.berlin.de, Tel.: 030/90229-1014
• BfR press office: pressestelle@bfr.bund.de, Tel.: 030/18412-4300