Filling out the Applications

Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals

Eigth Edition
Available online as a free pdf download through the National Academies Press.
http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12910

Defining Alternatives

The Three R's:

• Reduction in the number of animals used
• Refinement of methods to minimize pain and distress to the animals
• Replacement of the animals model with a a nonanimal model or species phylogenetically lower

The literature search encourages scientists to go beyond simple replacements, such as using a computerized simulation or an in vitro procedure. If a new restraint method involves positive reinforcement and minimizes the amount of distress the animal experiences during capture, a refinement alternative has been successfully employed. A reduction alternative may be discovered by conducting an exhaustive search of articles similar to the proposed study. (W.M.S. Russell & R.L. Burch, "The Principles of Human Experimental Technique")