Culture of Care
Pilot Study: "Culture of Care as the Foundation for Effective 3R Implementation"
Supported by the SET Foundation (Foundation for the Promotion of Research on Replacement and Complementary Methods to Reduce Animal Testing), 2020-2022
Leaders: Dr. Katharina Ameli, Prof. Dr. Stephanie Krämer
In 2010, the European Union adopted Directive 2010/63/EU, providing a tool for member states to legally implement effective measures for regulating animal testing. A key element of this directive is the 3R principle of Russell and Burch (1959), which should be implemented through the concept of Culture of Care (Recital 31, EU Directive). Essential components of the Culture of Care include communication, the appreciation of both humans and animals, and the attitude and professionalism of the staff towards the Culture of Care. The sustainable establishment of the 3R concept in biomedical basic research requires a paradigm shift, involving the dismantling of existing norms and their replacement with new ones. The Culture of Care outlines a clear path to meet the required legal and ethical demands.
Currently, the 3R concept has achieved significant recognition. However, mere awareness of a concept does not automatically lead to human action. It is not enough to convey the theory of the 3R concept; further impetus is needed to initiate actual action. This is where the potential of the Culture of Care lies—developing a perspective that can become a norm and contribute to more intuitive actions (e.g., reconsidering an animal-based project and consciously opting for an alternative).
It remains unclear, however, what actual significance the Culture of Care has within the context of the 3R strategy and what characteristics will be relevant in this context in the future. This gap is evident in the detailed analysis of all involved levels, which is why our research project addresses this issue. It reflects a highly interdisciplinary approach, in line with the 3R concept of Russell and Burch.