Abstract
From 10 to 13 September 2019, the German Society for Laboratory Animal Science (GV-SOLAS) held its 48th Seminar on Animal Experiments and Laboratory Animals and the 12th Professional Training Seminar for Animal Welfare Officers at the German Center for the Protection of Laboratory Animals (Bf3R) in Berlin. During the three-day meeting, some 400 scientists, animal facility managers and animal welfare officers from German academia and pharmaceutical industry watched 26 plenary presentations and discussed various aspects of animal experiments and animal welfare in biomedical research. Topics included further strategies to improve 3R implementation, legal aspects of animal experimentation in the light of German and EU animal welfare acts, new animal research models, and, last but not least, public relations issues.
The meeting was opened by a session on refinement methods. In this context, it was first shown how severity for laboratory mice can be reduced with semi-natural environments by Lars Lewejohann (Berlin) and by housing the animals with social partners by Kristina Ullmann (Berlin). Because it is a fundamental issue in animal experiments, methods were presented to improve severity assessment in experimental mice by an automatic mouse grimace scale evaluation system based on deep learning principles, presented by Katharina Hohlbaum (Berlin), or by the evaluation of spontaneous movement patterns, presented by Steven Talbot (Hannover).
In the following session on replacement, Jens Kurreck (Berlin) presented bioprinting as a new way to generate model organs for immunology research. Annelie Blumrich (Berlin) introduced the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster as a new model in cardiovascular research. Furthermore, computer models for the penetration of compounds that come into contact with the skin and for an arthritis joint model were shown by Dmitri Stepanov and Alexandra Damerau (both Berlin), respectively.
The next session focused on the use of farm animals in biomedical research. As an example, the pig was introduced as a model for roundworm infection (ascariasis) by Friederike Ebner (Berlin). Extending the use of pigs as research models, Sandra Düpjan (Dummerstorf) presented methods for severity assessment in this species. Using the example of Marek’s disease, Benedikt Kaufer (Berlin) demonstrated how results from basic research are transferred to vaccine development. Finally, challenges and opportunities when using cattle as experimental animals were presented by Edna Hillman (Berlin).
One topic typically addressed at the GV-SOLAS Berlin Seminar is the introduction of experimental animals that are regarded “exotic” since they are only rarely used and not generally covered by standard laboratory animal science education and training. Thus, Johannes Pucher (Berlin) demonstrated the housing and the scientific use of cephalopods, which are covered by German as well as EU animal welfare legislation together with vertebrates. Moreover, Emily Northrup (Frankfurt am Main) reported on Emydid turtles, which are used as a model in neurobiology research. Christian Schlechtriem (Schmallenberg) showed how food fish can be used as research models, and Jens Kraus (Berlin) presented attempts to understand fish behaviour, particularly their swarming behaviour.
The final session of the Seminar addressed the topic of animal experimentation in public communication. Here, Andreas Lengeling (München) discussed the risks and opportunities of more open public communication. Susanne Diederich (Göttingen) demonstrated how and why animal experimenters and other people involved in animal experiments should prepare themselves in cases of a public opinion crisis.
The topic of public relations was continued in the Professional Training Seminar particularly from the Animal Welfare Officer’s point of view, since he or she is frequently the person that is first contacted by several groups of interest in cases of a public opinion crisis. Following presentations by Stefan Schlatt (Münster) and Evelyn Kästner (Jena) there was general agreement that deliberate preparation for an assumptive crisis scenario is necessary in order to be able to minimize the risk of an escalating negative public opinion in case of an acute crisis.
In a historic review by Saskia Peters (Wiesbaden), the development of animal experimentation from the earliest beginning in ancient Greece to the current state was given, providing the scientific background for today’s state of the art.
One struggle that research faces and that has recently attained growing attention is the reproducibility of published results. This was addressed by Sophie Richter (Münster) in the context of animal experiments, illustrating both the problem in general as well as presenting approaches for possible solutions leading to more effective animal research and more effective implementation of the 3Rs.
As another 3R issue, the general strategy for severity assessment in animal experiments, from the planning process to actual assessment and retrospective consideration, was discussed by Matthias Schmidt (Bochum).
In the final session of the Professional Training Seminar, legal aspects of animal experiments were considered by Justyna Chmielewska (Berlin). This included, amongst others, requirements to the qualification of persons responsible for planning and directing animal experiments (EU Function B, formerly FELASA Category C).
Since Animal Welfare Officers also serve as consultants for researchers during the application process for an experimental permit, the general contents of an application necessary to meet the requirements were summarized from the authorities’ point of view by Johanna Hößler (Berlin). Maintaining the dialogue between Animal Welfare Officers and the authorities that issue experimental permits and inspect ongoing animal experiments is an important goal for the Continuing Training Seminar that will also be frequently addressed in the future.
Finally, with Tamoxifen as an example, Matthias Dombert (Potsdam) demonstrated how various legal regulations, scientific requirements, and animal welfare issues must be brought into agreement.
The great variety of topics that were addressed during the Seminar and the Continuing Training Seminar reflects the many aspects of animal welfare in research that need the attention of researchers, animal facility managers, and authority personnel. Beside the plenary presentations and discussions, participants had the opportunity to continue discussions and to exchange opinions during the coffee and lunch breaks and at the welcome reception on September 10th.
This laboratory animal science event series will be continued with the 49. Seminar and the 13. Continuing Training Seminar that will be held in Potsdam from 28 to 30 April 2020.