Animal research at the University of Gothenburg

Researchers at the University of Gothenburg are active in several major areas of medical research, including cancer, neurological diseases, rheumatic diseases, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and vaccine development. The goal is to enable more diseases to be treated or cured in the future. Within the natural sciences, our research focuses on animal physiology, ecology, and ecotoxicology.

Our research involves a variety of methods, many of which do not require the use of living animals. These may include studies of tissues that can be conducted without causing animals suffering, or studies of cells outside the body, such as cell lines grown in culture dishes. When animals are used in research, it is because the desired results cannot be achieved using non-animal methods. This is particularly the case when research questions concern complex biological systems, such as hormonal systems, the nervous system, and reproduction, or when studying the whole animal in its environment, where cell models or computer simulations are not sufficient.

Most research animals are fish, mice, and rats. Larger animals are occasionally used for certain types of studies.

In the development of new medicines and vaccines, the decision to conduct animal testing is not made by individual researchers; rather, it is a legal requirement. Medicines and vaccines must first undergo testing in animals before they can be tested in humans and subsequently approved for prescription and sale to patients.

Under EU legislation, animal experiments must be replaced whenever possible. As more non-animal methods are developed and improved, the use of animal research can be reduced. However, with the non-animal methods currently available, animal research remains essential for advancing medical and natural science research.

Animal Research Requires Ethical Approval

The use of animals in research is strictly regulated by Swedish legislation, regulations, and EU animal welfare laws. All animal research projects must be approved by an Animal Ethics Committee. During the review process, the committee assesses the expected benefits of the research against the burden or impact the study may have on the animals. Approval is granted only if the anticipated benefits are considered to outweigh the effects on the animals.

The Animal Ethics Committees comprise both scientific representatives and lay members, including representatives from animal welfare organizations.

The County Administrative Board is responsible for overseeing animal research facilities and ensuring that researchers and institutions comply with applicable legislation, regulations, and ethical approvals. The authority also conducts inspections to verify that research animals are housed in appropriate environments and receive proper care.

Common Standards in International Collaborations

International research collaborations are common and of significant importance to scientific progress. Ethical approval must be obtained in the country where animal studies are conducted. For researchers at the University of Gothenburg who carry out animal-based research abroad, the established ethical standards governing animal research in Sweden, including those applicable throughout the EU, serve as guiding principles.

The 3Rs as a Guiding Principle 

In addition to obtaining ethical approval, all researchers within the EU who conduct animal studies are required to follow the principles of the 3Rs.

• Refine means tocontinuously improve methods and procedures to enhance animal welfare and reduce any stress, pain, or discomfort experienced by animals during studies.
• Reduce is about minimizing the number of animals used in research.
• Replace is about replacing animal experiments with non-animal methods whenever possible.

Animal Welfare

Everyone involved in animal research or the care of research animals at the University of Gothenburg, including researchers, students, and animal care staff, undergoes initial training in laboratory animal science in accordance with current legislation and participates in continuing education and professional development on an annual basis. The training is based, among other things, on the principles of the 3Rs.

The Animal Welfare Body (AWB) at the University of Gothenburg consists of facility managers, veterinarians, license holders, animal care staff, and researchers who work together to safeguard animal welfare. Under current legislation, all organizations that use animals in research must have an Animal Welfare Body. Its role is to provide information and advice and to function as a consultative body on matters related to animal research.

Promoting Increased Transparency About the Use of Animals in Research

The University of Gothenburg is a member of the European Animal Research Association (EARA), an organization that promotes understanding of how and why animals are used in medical and natural science research and works to increase transparency regarding animal research. EARA’s members include both universities and companies from the private sector.