Are animal experiments, especially on monkeys, really still necessary? Are there no alternatives? We explain here why we think animal experiments, especially with non-human primates, are still important and, in some cases, even irreplaceable.

The goal of research at the Ernst Strüngmann Institute (ESI) for Neuroscience is to understand how different parts of the brain work together to bring about behavior. For this purpose, we study e.g. human subjects with non-invasive methods such as magnetoencephalography (MEG) or functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). More and more research contributes to the fact that animal experiments can be replaced or reduced in scope by alternative methods in some experiments. Of course, this also applies to our own! Alternatives include, for example, computer simulations or cell and tissue cultures. Nevertheless, there are areas in which experiments on animals cannot be replaced. This is particularly the case when researchers want to investigate complex interactions in the body, such as circulatory and, in our case, brain functions. These experiments will also be needed in the foreseeable future to gain knowledge and develop new therapeutic approaches and methods.

Good to know:

• This means that the animal experiments carried out at the ESI on non-human specimens are approved by the authorities responsible and have been assessed in extensive approval procedures as indispensable and without any possible alternative.
• High ethical standards are maintained in all approved and conducted experiments with animals because the ESI is very aware of the responsibility they entail. The protection of animal welfare, the best possible husbandry conditions, and the responsible handling of animals are not only a must from an ethical point of view, but they are also the prerequisite for collecting reliable scientific data.
• Accordingly, we place the highest value on the excellent care and accommodation of the animals. Of course, we comply with the regulations the Animal Protection Act prescribes.

In addition, the ESI has adopted measures of scientific self-obligation. The ESI is committed to the animal welfare principles documented in the White Paper of the Max Planck Society. In practice, this means that our scientists adhere to the 3R principles when planning and conducting their research: Reduce, Replace, Refine. Because it is our goal to implement these principles sustainably and thus contribute to a reduction in the number of laboratory animals, we are an important cooperation partner of the 3R Center in Giessen, Germany.

At the ESI, we feel particularly committed to another R, which is anchored in the White Paper of the Max Planck Society: Responsibility. We take our responsibility very seriously. Animal welfare is important. Also and especially in brain research.

Duty to the public

The ESI considers it its duty to the public to provide transparent information about its research and, consequently, about experiments involving animals. Accordingly, it was one of the first signatories of the German initiative Transparent Tierversuche. The researchers at our institute have already commented here on why they conduct animal research. We are also open to media requests, most recently for the arte documentary “Do animals have an I?” (available in German and French), the Y-Kollektiv podcast on animal research, or the topic of Alzheimer’s disease (both in German). In this video, we explain why we need animal experiments - also and especially in basic research - and why the protection of animal welfare is our top priority. In a virtual tour of our animal husbandry, we show how our animals are kept, cared for, and fed.

Contact
Please do not hesitate to contact us, if you have any questions or press inquiries: presse(at)esi-frankfurt.de