Dr. Vootele Voikaris a research coordinator at the Lab Animal Centre with more than 30 years of experience in observing mouse behaviour for neuroscience and lab animal science, promoting Three Rs and good scientific practice. Vootele is a strong advocate of networking, collaboration and effective communication for responsible research.
The ethical use of animals in biomedical research has traditionally been guided by the principles of Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement (the Three Rs), first proposed by Russell and Burch (in 1959) and now embedded in EU Directive 2010/63/EU. While the 3Rs remain foundational, growing societal expectations, advances in novel approach methodologies (NAMs), and persistent challenges related to scientific rigor and reproducibility raise the question of whether the 3Rs alone are sufficient to ensure that animal research is both ethically and scientifically justified. This presentation will provide an overview of the evolution and contemporary interpretation of the 3Rs principles, with a particular focus on emerging frameworks that support research culture, scientific integrity, and public engagement.
