"We still need animal research for basic research"

Max Planck researchers, such as Hans Schöler, and animal care takers explain why animal research is still indispensable for basic research

April 23, 2021

In Germany and other European countries, there is a recurring discussion about animal research and the possibility of a transition to animal-free innovations. In the Netherlands, there has been an extensive discussion about phasing out animal procedures and stimulating innovation without laboratory animals. However, advances on alternative methods have not progressed enough for a complete phasing-out. Max Planck researchers and animal care takers view their work with animals in research as a privilege, not an automatic right. Here they explain for which type of issues they still need animal research.

Hans Schöler, Director at the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine

Hans Schöler, Director at the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine

“I make intensive use of three-dimensional cell cultures for my research, so-called organoids. That’s why I know that they can only be used to study certain aspects. They will not be able to completely replace animal experiments in the future, for example, for studying developmental biology issues.”
"We still need animal research"
Special page of the Max Planck Society on the necessity of animal experiments in basic research more
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