The 3Rs of animal research were proposed by Russel and Burch in 1959. These principles provide a fundamental framework for humane animal use, but modern animal well-being science has expanded beyond the scope of the 3Rs.
Beyond3Rs is an initiative from the Department of Comparative Medicine at Stanford University, a world leading institution for research and education on laboratory animal well-being. We are a collaborative body of animal well-being researchers, veterinarians, and biomedical scientists.
We believe that “Good well-being is good science,” with an understanding that achieving this vision requires going Beyond3Rs.
Values, Vision, Mission
Our Values
- We believe that animal research is necessary, and at the same time, that working with animals is a privilege, not a right.
- We believe that the 3Rs are necessary principles, but we can always look for opportunities to further improve laboratory animal well-being.
- We believe that animal work should be designed to maximize the likelihood of benefits to humans and other animals, to minimize harms,
and to maximize animal well-being.
Our Vision
We imagine a world where animal research benefits everybody — not only all humans, but other animals, too — and where the well-being of research animals is seen as the most central piece of successful biomedical research.
Our Mission
- To build on Stanford's reputation as an optimal place to research or learn about laboratory animal well-being
- To pioneer a new discipline of translational research in laboratory animal well-being
- To promote research, education, outreach, theory and practice in laboratory animal well-being
