Refinement

The R for Refinement refers to initiatives that focus on refinement. By this we mean anything that can reduce or prevent 'discomfort' (such as pain) in laboratory animals, or improve their welfare. 

This applies before, during and after the experiment. Examples of refinement include optimising housing, training animals, reducing boredom or stereotypical behaviour, and applying pain relief and humane endpoints. Although refinement is not an end goal, it is important because it can lead to immediate improvements in the lives of laboratory animals in the short term. 

You can read more about the 3Rs on the website of the 3Rs Centre Utrecht. Examples include:

• refinement in anaesthesia,
• stress-free stress measurement with an infrared camera,
• improving the welfare of experimental chickens.