Communication in Animal Research - FELASA-AALAS-CALAM-CALAS-EARA WG

Public opinions are divided between supporting and opposing the use of animals in education, and in research and development. This divide reflects the need for greater transparency about why and how animals are used, as well as clear explanations about the stringent rules and regulations under which such experiments are conducted. The European Directive 2010/63/EU on the Protection of Animals Used for Scientific Purposes "seeks to facilitate and promote the advancement of alternative approaches" and aims to facilitate "the ultimate goal of full replacement of procedures on live animals for scientific and educational purposes as soon as it is scientifically possible to do so." While substantial efforts have been made in developing various models and technologies to replace animal testing, animal research remains necessary for the foreseeable future to improve our understanding of diseases and treatments for humans and other animals. Active and transparent communication about animal research is essential to promoting public understanding. All personnel involved in animal research, including scientists, animal care staff, veterinarians, ethics committee members, and leadership, need to be supported to promote public awareness and open dialogue. Achieving this requires a communication strategy, at various professional levels, to convey an educational and informative message. To this end, the working group will develop a plan to facilitate communication within research institutions and external communication with the public on animal research activities.