Contemporary bioethics of animal research has greatly inspired by Burch and Russell’s 3Rs methodology: Replace, Reduce and Refine. The use of animals can be morally and ethically permissible only when the study is scientifically structured on a sound and robust basis, and must conform to the 3Rs Principles (Replace, Reduce, Refine). Replacement of animals in any biomedical research can be achieved implementation of Non-Animal Models or in other words New Approach Methodologies (NAMs). This may provide replacing sentient, living beings, animals in a biomedical study. 

This project aims to assess the potential of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) in animal research to serve as complementary or alternative methods to traditional in vivo experiments, as perceived by editors of journals that publish in the field of biomedical research.

NAMs can be defined as strictly species-specific methodologies that encompass (but are not limited to) in silico methods and (advanced) in vitro methods, like microphysiological systems and organs-on-a-chip. By this survey based mix-method study we hope to understand the considerations and challenges related to the use and acceptance of NAMs in animal research.

The added value of this project is two-fold: to develop an ethical impact regarding the abolishing use of animals in biomedical research, and to consolidate public trust based on the results yielded through our collaborative study on implementing non-animal research tools. This is a recently started internationally collaborated study by a multidisciplinary team under COST Action - IMPROVE Improving the Quality of Biomedical Science with 3Rs Concepts.