June 29, 2010

experts react to the publication of new ARRIVE guidelines for reporting animal research

New guidelines for the scientific reporting of research involving animals have been published by the National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs).

Steve Brown, Director of the Medical Research Council’s Mammalian Genetics Unit, said:

“Research using animals continues to be an important part of bringing treatments from the laboratory bench to the patient’s bedside, but it’s crucial that the results of this work are transparent, accessible and open to scrutiny to the scientific community and beyond. Animal research was instrumental in decoding the human genome ten years ago and mouse studies play a growing, instrumental role today in the study of the function of genes and their role in human diseases. When we use animals in research, we do so with the welfare of the animal at the front of our minds, so making the most of the science and minimising the numbers of animals needed makes complete sense.”

Prof Colin Blakemore, Professor of Neuroscience, University of Oxford, said:

“The reputation of science depends on the accuracy of the way in which it is reported. Those who use animals in their research have a responsibility to make sure that they design their experiments to give reliable results and to describe their work fully, without bias. These new guidelines from NC3Rs will remind researchers to maintain the high standards that are expected of them.”

Dr Sophie Petit-Zeman, Head of External Relations, Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC), said:

“These guidelines will help scientists and editors improve the stringency and completeness of reporting of animal research and in turn assist peer reviewers and funders who assess it. A similar model for reporting clinical research has led to measurable improvements in quality and transparency and we welcome this important step in improving reporting practice in an understandably controversial area of biomedical research. We will encourage AMRC member charities to ensure any animal research they fund is reported in accordance with the guidelines, helping to continually raise standards of essential animal research for patient benefit wherever possible or necessary.”

Dr Simon Festing, Chief Executive of Understanding Animal Research, said:

“We hope this marks the start of a sensible and mature discussion about how to improve animal studies to the benefit of both science and welfare. In the past such discussion has been stifled by fear of reprisal from animal activists.”