Promoting and improving three Rs practice: the Korean guidelines.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Research Ethics
• Laboratory Animal Science

Background:

• Ethical conduct in animal research necessitates adherence to the Three Rs: replacement, reduction, and refinement.
• Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees (IACUCs) review research protocols involving animals.
• Effective search strategies and experimental design are crucial for animal welfare and scientific validity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify common errors in research protocols submitted for ethical review over a ten-year period.
• To provide information on Korean resources that promote good scientific practice in animal research.
• To bridge the gap between Korean scientists and animal welfare advocates.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of common errors observed during the ethical review of experimental protocols.
• Identification and presentation of available Korean resources for Three Rs alternatives.
• Review of existing literature on Three Rs implementation and reporting.

Main Results:

• Recurring errors in research protocols submitted for ethical review were identified.
• A lack of readily available Three Rs resources in the Korean language was noted.
• Information on Korean resources to support good scientific practice was compiled.

Conclusions:

• Addressing common errors and improving access to Three Rs resources in Korean can enhance ethical considerations in animal research.
• Promoting good scientific practice through accessible resources supports responsible research and animal welfare.
• Bridging the gap between scientists and welfare advocates fosters a collaborative approach to ethical research.