Animal welfare
Ruhr University Bochum guideline on animal research
Our Guidelines specify the conditions in which we conduct animal experimentation and how we treat the subject animals. We transparently communicate our work, follow legal regulations without exception, and support the work of the respective authorities.
Ruhr University Bochum is one of the leading research universities in the Federal Republic of Germany and enjoys international renown in numerous fields of research. One such field is biomedical research, which involves animal experimentation.
Top-level research involving animal experimentation is conducted on two levels at RUB: Fundamental research concerning the basic principles of life, thought, and health; and translational research, which carries known characteristics of the organism over to clinical application.
Scientific progress in fundamental and applied research are directly connected and interdependent. The sustainable acquisition of knowledge in both areas requires experimentation on animal subjects, and this will remain the case for the foreseeable future.
Good animal welfare is not only an ethical principle, but also significantly contributes to the quality and meaningfulness of scientific results.
All persons involved in animal research and working with subject animals at Ruhr University Bochum are aware of the responsibility that such work demands. We are familiar with and act in accordance with the ethical and legal requirements involved in working with subject animals and conducting experimentation with them. University management, scientists, veterinarians, non-research personnel, animal welfare officers, and the Animal Welfare Committee jointly ensure adherence to and continuous improvement of high animal welfare standards.
We support the Basel Declaration on respecting and protecting subject animals in research and are committed to a culture of open dialogue.
The following Guidelines stem from our duty to subject animals and the obligation to not only implement animal welfare, but also to continuously improve it:
Our Guidelines
Highest level of animal welfare
We ensure the best possible animal welfare based on knowledge from animal protection in science, the concept of the 3R principle (Replace, Reduce, Refine), and current animal welfare legislation. We are committed to always treating subject animals responsibly and with dignity.
Ethical tenability
We limit our use of animal experimentation to the extent that is scientifically necessary. Animals are only used in research and instruction when such is ethically tenable with regard to the desired results and there are no animal-free alternatives available. The ethical tenability of animal experimentation requires a considered balance between the expected acquisition of knowledge for the benefit of humans and animals and the possible suffering incurred by the animals due to the experiment.
Ethical standards and responsibility
We take responsibility in how we live by the ethical and moral principles underlying the treatment of subject animals. Ensuring the well-being of the animals entrusted to our care is subject to equally high ethical standards as the scientific quality of our work. We respect and consider ethical or religious reasons that members of the Ruhr University Bochum community may have in abstaining from animal experimentation.
Dealing with violations
We do not tolerate violations against the legal and ethical standards. Any disregard for animal welfare regulations, in particular for the proper treatment of animals themselves, is not tolerated and will be met with disciplinary measures.
Transparent information
We follow a policy of open and transparent information, and are committed to objective dialogue concerning the use of animals in scientific research and instruction. In addition to the legally required notifications to the authorities, we proactively convey information to the public and promote an objective and appropriate awareness among employees, students, and the public.
Regulations and monitoring
We unconditionally follow the legal regulations and requirements for approving animal experimentation as well as for the conditions under which subject animals are kept. In addition, we support the work conducted by the authorization and monitoring authorities for animal experimentation projects and laboratory animal facilities. Internal self-monitoring at the university to maintain the best possible animal welfare and to comply with legal requirements is conducted by the animal welfare officers and the Animal Welfare Committee of Ruhr University Bochum.
