Animals in Research
Some researchers at the Friedrich Miescher Laboratory work with laboratory animals if alternative methods to animal research are unavailable or if corresponding research cannot be carried out on humans for ethical reasons. This is done to understand fundamental biological and biomedical processes better. Ultimately, this allows diseases to be better understood and new treatment methods to be developed. The links below provide information about our laboratory animals and the legal regulations on animal experiments.
Animal research generally presents an ethical dilemma for scientists: the potential benefits for humans and the harm to the animal and other pros and cons must be carefully weighed up against each other. Our scientists, vets and animal keepers at the institute take their responsibilty in relation to the implementation of animal research and the provision of species-appropriate facilities for laboratory animals very seriously – not least because valid research findings can only be obtained from healthy and stress-free animals.
For each scientific question, we carefully consider which model system is best suited to it - so many of our experiments take place in cell cultures.
The only animal used at the Friedrich Miescher Laboratory is the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster.
The basis for optimal care of the animals is, of course, comprehensive training and qualification of our animal care staff. In-house and IHK-certified training with animal care masters and training officers as well as constant further training measures contribute to this.
Legal requirements and the 4Rs principle
- Researchers at the Max Planck Society (MPG) adhere to strict legal regulations, carefully balancing harm to animals with research benefits. The MPG is committed to enhancing animal welfare, promoting best practices, and fostering a culture of animal care within the legal framework of the 3Rs principle (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement). This involves:
- Replacement: Prioritizing alternative methods (e.g. cell cultures, computer models, imaging techniques) whenever feasible.
- Reduction: Minimizing the number of animals per experiment to the absolutely necessary minimum.
- Refinement: Optimizing experimental procedures and animal housing to minimize animal stress.
- As a foundation of fundamental science, the MPG introduces a fourth R: “Responsibility.” Leveraging its expertise across life sciences and humanity, the MPG promotes animal protection by:
- Assessing animal living conditions.
- Monitoring behavioural indicators of distress
- Researching cognitive abilities of different species.
Only after this preliminary work can researchers apply to include animals in their work.
The MPG continuously monitors scientific advancements in animal welfare, disseminates new information, and discusses potential implications.
Questions and Answers
The Friedrich Miescher Laboratory is currently conducting research on fruit flies.
You can find more detailed information on the benefits for humans below, in addition to the research questions scientists at the Friedrich Miescher Laboratory investigating with fruit flies. Why are experiments with animals sometimes necessary to answer these questions. Can animal experiments be replaced? What is the legal framework for animal experiments?
