3Rs principles

The 3Rs principles—Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement—guide more ethical and responsible use of animals in research. Replacement means using non-animal methods or less sentient organisms whenever possible. Reduction involves designing experiments to obtain maximum information with the fewest animals, minimizing their use. Refinement focuses on improving procedures to cause less pain, suffering, and distress, ensuring animals are treated humanely. Together, these principles promote scientific progress while respecting animal welfare, encouraging researchers to find better, more compassionate approaches to research involving animals.