Short project description

3R is short for “replacement, reduction and refinement”. It’s a principle for experimental animal research which is included in both Danish and European legislation at present. The 3R principle entails that animal experiments to the extent possible must be Replaced by in vitro experiments, Reduced as well as Refined. The refinement happens through the researchers’ obligation to choose methods of least severity in terms of animal welfare when animal experiments are carried out.

In recent years there’s been a significant research focus on CO2 emission from agriculture. In this regard several research projects are conducted with the aim to limit this emission. Some of these research projects include experimental methods which may have consequences for the welfare of the animals involved. A thesis regarding 3R will typically focus on documenting the welfare impact associated to a specific method (such as the use of methane chambers) and/or developing the method further, so the severity in terms of animal welfare will decrease (e.g. by allowing the animals to touch each other, see each other or get a better opportunity to move freely).

At the Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, new master students are welcomed within this area. If you are interested in a thesis focusing on animal experimentation and the concept of 3R, and wish to be part of a group of researchers committed to animal behaviour and stress biology, you are welcome to contact us.