Use of laboratory animals in scientific research and education

Ghent University is convinced of the added value animal research has on the development of knowledge at the benefit of humans and animals.
However, this belief does not prevent the need for researchers to find ways to, as much as possible, reduce the number of laboratory animals and the suffering and distress these animals experience. Ghent University aims for a research setting without laboratory animals.

In 2019 Ghent University signed the Transparency Agreement on animal research in Belgium. In this way, our university commits itself to communicate and inform clearly and openly about animal testing, the alternatives and the relevant legislation. Doing this is in the interest of the research community, the animals and society.

Legal framework and policy

• Transparancy agreement on Animal research in Belgium 2019
• Policy statement Ghent University (as approved by the Board of Governors on 3 January 2017)
• Policy Memorandum Animal Welfare 2014-2019 (Flemish minister Weyts) - in Dutch only

External framework supported by Ghent University

• Belgian Council for Laboratory Animal Science (BCLAS/ASBL)
• European Animal Research Association (EARA)
  
  • Statement supporting European Directive 2010/63/EU on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes
  • Statement in support of animal research in Belgium and a transparent approach

Guidelines

• ARRIVE
• VIB
  • Responsible research
  • Animal experiments and ethics

Ethics committees

• Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
• Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
• VIB/Faculty of Sciences

Broader framework: several initiatives

• Federation of Laboratory Animal Science Associations (FELASA)
• Stichting Informatie Dierproeven (SID)
• EURL ECVAM Strategy Papers
• InfoPunt ProefdierOnderzoek
• RE-Place database (Belgian database of 'new approach methodologies')
• Studentenvereniging SENSE
• National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement & Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3RS)
• GAIA (Global Action in the Interest of Animals vzw)
• European Citizens' Initiative 'Stop Vivisection'
• Understanding Animal Research
• Nationaal Comité advies dierproevenbeleid (NCad)

Animal research policy in the media and as science communication (in Dutch)

• Dag Allemaal 16 June 2015
• Science Cafe 13 September 2016 (+ visual summary)
• Schamper February 2016
• Schamper Oktober 2016

Event Animal Research Policy at Ghent University - 24 April 2017 (in Dutch)

• Presentation Katleen Hermans
• Presentation Peter Brouckaert
• Presentation Thierry Bové
• Presentation Philippe Vanparys
• Presentation Jan Reubens
• Presentation Stijn Bruers
• Presentation Michel Vanden Bosch
• Media clippings: radio Studio Brussel - radio MNM - radio Radio 2 - AVS