I.H.C.H.M. (Ingrid) Philippens PhD

For more than 30 years I have worked in preclinical biomedical research, where I have experienced daily how important it is to make a carefully balance between scientific progress and animal welfare. Animal studies are never an objective in themselves for me, but may in some cases be necessary when no suitable alternative is available and the expected societal or scientific benefit justifies the burden on the animals.

This is precisely why I regard the role of the Central Committee for Animal Procedures as being of great importance. Every project application requires an independent and careful assessment, not only examining scientific quality and expected benefits, but also critically evaluating whether the principles of replacement, reduction and refinement (the 3 Rs) have been optimally applied.

Drawing on my background in neuroscience, my experience with various animal models, including non-human primates, rodents and guinea pigs, and my experience serving on Animal Ethics Committees, I wish to contribute to careful, transparent and societally responsible decision-making. I believe that scientific innovation and animal welfare should always be evaluated in conjunction with one another.