A study of the websites of biomedical research bodies in the Netherlands, assessing how they discuss research using animals, published by the European Animal Research Association (EARA), has found that the majority of websites are failing to be open and transparent.
In the EARA Study of EU-based websites 2020, which has been presented to the EU Commission, a total of 77 institutional websites in the Netherlands were assessed, both public and private bodies, such as universities and pharmaceutical companies, and the main findings were that:
Barely a third of the institutions assessed in the Netherlands (39%) have a recognisable statement acknowledging the use of animals, or a commitment to the welfare of research animals.
Under a third of institutions (31%) used any imagery or video of animals at their research facilities.
Only half of the institutions (52%) had information about the use of animals that was easily accessible to the public.
The best results were for the use of case studies about research using animals (65%) and more information (68%) such as the species of animal used and/or the type of research animals are used in.
A total of 1,065 institutional websites within the EU* were assessed by EARA. In comparison to the Netherlands (39%), the percentage of institutions that displayed a statement (one of the most important requirements) in other countries was – Belgium 71%, France 42%, Germany 51%, Italy 43%, Spain 81% and the UK 89%.
Overall, biomedical institutions that have signed an existing Transparency Agreement, committing them to greater openness about animal research (in Belgium, Portugal, Spain and the UK) showed greater openness and transparency on animal research in every assessment category compared with those institutions that have not signed a transparency agreement – currently there is no transparency agreement in the Netherlands. See the EARA report for appendix tables.
EARA Executive Director, Kirk Leech, said: “An open discussion about the use of animals in research is an important way to explain why the use of animal models is an essential part of biomedical research, so these results from the Netherlands are disappointing.
“EARA would urge the biomedical sector to come together and create a transparency agreement in the Netherlands, as a focus for a better way to explain the use of animals in research to the general public.”
Most of the medicines we use have at some point involved research using animals, for instance, animals are essential in research on Covid-19 to understand the virus.
EARA has produced an interactive map with a breakdown of the results in each category for each EU member state. The map also colour codes each country based on the percentage of institutions with a statement on animal research on their website.
The website study has helped EARA identify areas of good practice on communications and openness in the life sciences sector and areas where improvement is needed. It will also help EARA provide guidance on best practice to all its member organisations and the sector as a whole across Europe and build on the advice already given to EARA members in the EARA Communications Handbook.
The study is therefore a tool that can then be used to encourage greater transparency in line with the recommendations made in Section 3 of the Review of Directive 2010/63/EU in November 2017.
For further information contact EARA Communications Manager, Bob Tolliday, btolliday@eara.eu on +44 (0)7970 132801
*This report also includes website assessments for UK institutions, this is to provide consistency with the previous EARA website study in 2018.
End
Notes to editors
About EARA The European Animal Research Association (EARA) is an organisation that communicates and advocates on biomedical research using animals and provides accurate, evidence-based information. It has close to 100 member organisations, including private and public research bodies, universities, regional and national biomedical associations and suppliers, in 20 European countries.
EARA’s vision is to enhance the understanding and recognition of research involving animals across Europe, allowing for a more constructive dialogue with all stakeholders and a more efficient climate for research in Europe.
Additional information
All data was collected between 7 January, 2020 and 19 June, 2020, by EARA. A total of 1,065 websites were assessed.
Inspired by the UK Concordat on Openness on Animal Research, transparency agreements (TAs) on animal research exist in Belgium, Portugal, Spain, and in total include 298 institutions from both the private and public biomedical community.
TAs contain commitments calling on institutions to speak with clarity on their use of animals for research and provide adequate information for both the public and the media. In every assessment category, institutions with a Transparency Agreement showed greater openness and transparency on animal research than those institutions not in a Transparency Agreement
The benefits of animal research Most of the medicines we use have at some point involved research using animals. Animals are essential in research on Covid-19 for understanding the virus, and for assessing potential drugs and vaccines. They will help millions with conditions such as cystic fibrosis, Alzheimer’s disease, spinal cord damage and parasitic infections like malaria. There are three main reasons why animals are used in research:
To advance scientific understanding
To develop solutions to medical problems
To test medicines and vaccines in order to protect the safety of people, animals and the environment.
Animals are used when there is a need to find out what happens in the whole living body, which is far more complex than the sum of its parts. It is very difficult, and in most cases simply not yet possible, to develop non-animal methods to replace the use of living animals.
END