Organisation animal experimentation

When it comes to using animals for purposes of research or teaching, UMC Utrecht and Utrecht University work closely together. Both institutes have a licence to keep laboratory animals and to carry out animal experimentation.

Utrecht Animal Welfare Body

The Utrecht Animal Welfare Body was jointly set up by both institutes to ensure the optimum welfare of laboratory animals in a structural manner. Having such a body in place is also a legal requirement. The body ensures that all experiments are carried out in accordance with current legislation and also fosters the principles of the 3 Rs of animal testing: replacement, reduction and refinement.

Animal Laboratory

Animal experimentation is carried out in various Utrecht University and UMC Utrecht buildings, although most such experiments take place in the Utrecht University Animal Laboratory. The laboratory is accredited by the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International and is ISO-9001:2000 certified.

Utrecht Life Sciences 3R Centre

In order to optimally encourage and disseminate all the 3 R-related developments within Utrecht Life Sciences, Utrecht University and UMC Utrecht established the Utrecht Life Sciences 3 R Centre. This centre provides information about new developments concerning the replacement, reduction and refinement of animal experimentation.