R. (Rebecca) Nordquist Dr.

“Animal procedures are sometimes necessary, because in some cases there really are no alternatives. This is expressed as the ‘no, unless...’ principle, which is also enshrined in policy: we do not conduct animal procedures unless there really is no other option. Therefore, every application to do these procedures should be subjected to a thorough evaluation: Is there really no alternative?

The CCD plays a vital role in closely monitoring the necessary ethical considerations. Animal procedures are usually seen as experiments that benefit humans, where animals are used as models for humans, and this is very often the case: results obtained from animal procedures are then translated to the human context.

But animal procedures are also sometimes necessary to improve veterinary care, and to keep innovating and improving animal husbandry, including animal welfare. In that case, the animals in the experiment are used as models for their own species.

Here again, albeit with a different purpose, the ‘no, unless...’ principle is applied, and we must continue to carefully weigh the harm to animals against the expected benefits. I consider it essential that, as the CCD, we consistently engage in a thorough and critical discussion for each application for an animal procedure."