World Congress on Alternatives and Animal Use in the Life Sciences (WC13)

We are sharing updates and outputs from two major programmes of work at this years’ World Congress. Esther Pearl and James Barker from our Experimental Design and Reporting team are sharing our resources that support scientists to embed the 3Rs in the planning and publication of research. Elliot Lilley will update attendees on our work with the World Health Organisation (WHO) to accelerate the adoption of 3Rs approaches in biologicals testing.

Embedding the 3Rs in experimental design and reporting

Where animals are involved in studies, rigorous experimental design and comprehensive reporting minimises unnecessary repetition and ensures animals are not wasted in experiments that do not give reliable results. Improving the design and reporting of in vitro research promotes the use of in vitro alternatives to replace animal models and supports the reduction of animal numbers by improving data that may inform future in vivo work.

Ethics in action: Upholding the 3Rs through animal research ethical review (session 118)
Monday 1 September, 9.30 – 11.00 (GMT-3)

Esther is presenting a talk titled ‘Putting experimental rigour at the forefront of ethical review’ (abstract 336).

Posters

• Presented by Esther: Using the Experimental Design Assistant and the ARRIVE guidelines in teaching to improve implementation of the 3Rs (abstract 337).
• Presented by James: Do we need best practice guidance in the design and reporting of in vitro research? A thematic analysis of user testing feedback using the RIVER recommendations (abstract 292).

3Rs approaches in biologicals testing

Up to 10 million animals a year are used worldwide in the development, production and quality control of biologicals such as vaccines, blood products and hormones. We have worked with the WHO, with funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, to review WHO guidelines for biologics and suggest alternative 3Rs-focused text. With further funding with the Gates Foundation we are driving the implementation of our recommendations to accelerate the adoption of the latest non-animal testing methods by the global biologics community.

Transitioning away from animal testing for vaccine quality control testing: International and regional perspectives (session 98)
Wednesday 3 September, 14.30 – 16.00 (GMT-3)

Elliot is co-chairing the session and presenting a talk titled ‘Accelerating the adoption of 3Rs approaches in biologicals testing’ (abstract 68).