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Harmonising the definition of refinement

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 January 2023

HM Buchanan-Smith ,
AE Rennie ,
A Vitale ,
S Pollo ,
MJ Prescott  and
DB Morton
HM Buchanan-Smith*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK
AE Rennie
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK
A Vitale
Affiliation:
Section of Behavioural Neuroscience, Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
S Pollo
Affiliation:
Section of Behavioural Neuroscience, Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
MJ Prescott
Affiliation:
National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs), 20 Park Crescent, London W1B 1AL, UK
DB Morton
Affiliation:
Director Biomedical Services Unit, Medical School, Vincent Drive, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
*
* Contact for correspondence and requests for reprints: h.m.buchanan-smith@stir.ac.uk
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Abstract

Russell and Burch's Three Rs (replacement, reduction and refinement) remain the cornerstone for principles guiding humane experimental research. However, the concept of refinement has evolved considerably since its first inception and there have been numerous interpretations, some of which are regressive from the original definition. In this paper we examine the interpretations of refinement, and propose a harmonised progressive definition that is in line with changes in animal ethics and animal welfare science. Our definition should be applied to all aspects of refinement: those related to housing, husbandry and care, techniques used in scientific procedures, periprocedural care, health and welfare monitoring, and experimental design. We argue not only that the concept should include the avoidance or minimisation of adverse effects experienced at any time during the life of an animal destined for use in a laboratory, but also that it should be applied to the founder animals. Furthermore, we take a proactive stance and argue that refinement should include enhancing well-being through environmental enrichment. The acceptance and application of this new definition by legislative authorities and in guidelines would represent a significant step forward for animal welfare.

Keywords

animal welfarehousing and husbandrylaboratory animalsrefinementscientific proceduresThree Rs
Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Welfare , Volume 14 , Issue 4 , November 2005 , pp. 379 - 384
Copyright
© 2005 Universities Federation for Animal Welfare

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