Animal Free Innovation

Transition to Animal-free Innovation...

...abbreviated as TPI is a programme designed to enhance the transition to animal-free research.

A partner programme in which ministries
join forces with other organisations.

We all want a safer world for humanity, 
animals and the environment. 

That includes animal testing. 

However, there is much debate about animal testing, because of the animal suffering...

...and because the results are not always
applicable to humans.

After all, a rabbit differs from a human being.

In some cases, research on human cells,
human tissue or human data, 

 provides better answers to questions
about the human body.

Our mission is therefore to achieve better
prediction without animal testing.

But animal-free innovation does not simply mean replacing an animal test with another method.

Let us explain. 

Animal testing is constantly being improved
using the three R’s:

Replacement where possible,

Reducing the number of animals where possible,

and Refining techniques to improve animal welfare.

You might be thinking: 

replacing animal testing,

surely that’s enough? 

Yes, that would be ideal. 

But TPI takes a wider view:

What is the societal issue we are trying to solve?

What research question do we need to ask?

And how can we find the best answers?

New methods can often be a great way forward,

for example:

Cells in a petri dish,

Cells working together as a mini-organ,

Computer programs that calculate
test data from patients,

or a combination. 

But how can we be sure that these
new methods are effective?

Instead of comparing them to animal testing,
which is less reliable,

we compare them to reliable data on humans.

At present, some types of research still
need to use animal testing.

But as more animal-free innovations emerge,
this need will gradually decrease.     

As long as animal testing exists, 

we must continue to use the three R’s.

In the meantime, we are doing all we can to accelerate the transition through:

information, communication, grants,

meetings and events, networks and projects.

TPI involves a major system change. 

We need everyone to be part of that process:

researchers, lecturers, patients,
animal welfare groups,

businesses, administrators, politicians,

lawmakers and a host of others.

We need to join forces to make
this transition happen.

That means pushing boundaries
and making connections.

The transition is already in full swing! 

Do you want to help?

*Logo TPI appears*