Animal experiments in Germany: dramatic decline in numbers!

In 2023, around 1.46 million vertebrates and head feet were used for scientific purposes in Germany. This represents a significant decrease of 15.6 percent compared to the previous year, like that Good News Magazine reported. Around 672,000 animals were killed of this total number without being used beforehand. The total number of animals recorded, including the unused and killed, amounts to around 3.5 million. Animal welfare organizations welcome this development, but call for a comprehensive exit strategy from animal experiments.

The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) sees these figures a continued trend that affects almost all research areas. However, certain animal experiments cannot currently be completely replaced. The development and validation of alternative methods remains a central goal to further reduce animal use in science. Researchers actively work on animal -free processes. In Baden-Württemberg, three more 3R centers for the development of replacement methods for animal experiments were also set up. The 3R principle stands for "Replace, Reduce, Refine", ie replacing, reducing and improving the conditions of animal experiments.

Animal protection law and regulations in Germany

The legal protection of test animals in Germany is heavily regulated and is one of the strictest worldwide. Animal experiments are defined as interventions or treatments on animals that can cause pain, suffering or damage. In addition to the production of fabrics and products, this also includes the increase in organisms as well as interventions to withdraw organs and isolated examinations of organs and tissues.

The Animal Welfare Act defines strict regulations, especially for vertebrates and head feet. Animals may be used in experiments for basic research, applied research, quality and effectiveness tests of medication, as well as for environmental protection and training measures. Animal experiments may only be carried out if they are essential and the relationship between the gain and suffering of the animals is considered ethically justifiable. Alternative methods must always be used when they are available.

The German Center to protect test animals (BF3R) promotes the development and validation of these alternative methods. The goal of Federal Minister of Agriculture Christian Schmidt is to completely abolish animal experiments. Loud 3R research Around two million vertebrates and head feet were still used in biomedical research in 2015. The vast majority of the animals used were rodents, followed by fish, rabbits and birds.