Abstract
Even with the introduction of the replacement, reduction, refinement (the three Rs) approach and promising technological developments in animal-testing-free alternatives over the past two decades, a significant number of animal tests are still performed in medical science today. This article analyses which factors could accelerate the transition to animal-free medical science, applying the multi-level perspective (MLP) framework. The analysis was based on qualitative research, including a desk study (literature review and document analysis), lectures from experts, and nine online focus group sessions with experts on 26 July 2021. These were undertaken as part of an honours project between May and September 2021 to identify barriers, levers, and opportunities for accelerating this transition. The MLP framework identifies required changes at three levels: innovations and new practices (niche level), the current (bio)medical research system (regime level), and larger societal forces (landscape level). All three levels interact in a non-linear fashion. The model enabled us to identify many relevant factors influencing the transition to animal-testing-free medical science and enabled priority setting. Our findings supported the formulation of six “focus areas” to which stakeholders could devote efforts in order to accelerate the transition to animal-testing-free medical science: (1) thorough and translatable new approach methods (NAMs) for human-relevant medical research; (2) open science and sharing data; (3) targeted funding for NAMs; (4) implementing and modernising legislation for NAMs; (5) interdisciplinary education on animal-testing-free medical science; and (6) facilitating a shift in societal views, as this would be of benefit to both animals and humans. It is proposed that these focus areas should be implemented in parallel.
Subject
General Veterinary,Animal Science and Zoology
Reference77 articles.
1. European Parliament Resolution of 16 September 2021 on Plans and Actions to Accelerate the Transition to Innovation without the Use of Animals in Research, Regulatory Testing and Education;European Parliament,2021
2. Accelerating the Growth of Human Relevant Life Sciences in the United Kingdom. A White Paper by the Alliance for Human Relevant Science
3. Improving Translation by Identifying Evidence for More Human-Relevant Preclinical Strategies
4. The Nuremberg Code subverts human health and safety by requiring animal modeling
5. Dierproeven voor een gezonde maatschappij? Rigide regels remmen toepassing van alternatieve testen;Swaters,2021
Cited by
3 articles.
订阅此论文施引文献
订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献