The use of animals for scientific and medical research is regulated by specific legislations - based on the 3Rs principle - which protect laboratory animals, ensure their well-being and impose compliance with ethical rules.
Born from the ethical reflections of two British scientists, William Russel and Rex Burch, the principle of replacement, reduction and refinement, known as the "3Rs principle", first appeared in 1959 in a code of good conduct drawn up by researchers for researchers..
Since the beginning of the 80s, driven by the need to implement and homogenize good practices in animal experimentation, this principle has been taken up and applied by numerous institutions in Europe and across the Atlantic, and even integrated into the law.
The application of the 3Rs principle is imposed on EU Member States by Article 4 of directive 2010/63/UE of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 September 2010 on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes.
Article 4
Principle of replacement, reduction and refinement
Member States shall ensure that, wherever possible, ascientifically satisfactory method or testing strategy, notentailing the use of live animals, shall be used instead of a procedure.
Member States shall ensure that the number of animalsused in projects is reduced to a minimum without compromising the objectives of the project.
Member States shall ensure refinement of breeding,accommodation and care, and of methods used in procedures,eliminating or reducing to the minimum any possible pain,suffering, distress or lasting harm to the animals.
This Article shall, in the choice of methods, be implemented in accordance with Article 13.
On September 16, 2021, the European Parliament passed the resolution 2021/2784(RSP) on plans and measures to accelerate the transition to animal-free innovations in research, regulatory testing and education.
A response from the European Commission was published on 10 February 2022 (SP(2021)787). It proposes, among other things, an increase in the resources allocated to the development of non-animal methods and to the implementation of educational and training programs concerning the 3Rs.
French law recognizes the 3Rs principle, as evidenced by the references to the 3Rs and the need for a center dedicated to their implementation in Article 48 of the "loi n° 2020-1674 de programmation de la recherche".
In concrete terms, the ethics committees for animal experimentation (CEEA) and the structures dedicated to animal welfare (SBEA) play complementary roles in terms of applying the law and the 3Rs principle:
- In accordance with Articles 38, 39 and 43 of the European Directive, the "French decree" of February 1, 2013 details in Articles 3, 4, 5 and 7 that it is the responsibility of the CEEAs to ensure theoretical compliance with the 3Rs principle when evaluating animal research projects. .
- According to Article 27 of the EU Directive, the SBEAs are responsible for promoting and implementing the 3Rs principle within their research organizations.
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