Event: Science in dialogue

On 25 October, AVIESAN (France), The Alliance of Science Organisations (Germany), ZonMw and NWO organized a Science in dialogue meeting to discuss how animal and non-animal approaches can contribute to the future of life science research in Europe. Hosted and supported by a range of renowned research organisations, the meeting was specifically addressed to delegates from the European Parliament, the European Commission and other interested European institutions. The event aimed to contribute high-level scientific expertise to ongoing general debates on animal and non-animal research methods, and to specific discussions on the European Parliament’s “resolution on plans and actions to accelerate the transition to innovation without use of animals in research, regulatory testing and education”. The event built on the results of a STOA workshop on the use of animals for scientific research in Europe, held in June.

Scientists from various disciplines illustrated recent scientific, technological and medical advances in cutting-edge life science research and discussed the potential and limitations of animal and non-animal methods. In addition, a reflection pon ethical aspects with regard to human and animal well-being was given.

Please download the full event report for a description of the topics that were discussed and recommendations made by contributing scientists.

• Johannes BECKERS, Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Munich;
• Herwig GRIMM, Unit of Ethics and Human-Animal Studies, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna and Medical University, Vienna and University Vienna;
• Juliette LEGLER, Division of Toxicology at the Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University;
• Serge PICAUD, Vision Institute, Sorbonne Université-INSERM-CNRS, Paris;
• Alessandra PIERANI, Institute of Psychiatry and Neuroscience of Paris and Imagine Institute, CNRS-INSERM-Université Paris Cité;
• Jan Bas PRINS, Biological Research Facility, the Francis Crick Institute and Leiden University;
• Ulrike PROTZER, Institute of Virology, Technical University Munich and Helmholtz Munich.