3Rs databases

Prior to conducting any experimental study using animals, researchers should search the literature and other relevant sources for information on the 3Rs.

Researchers are familiar with the need to search the literature as they plan a research project. Such a search typically surveys the proposed field of study, identifies areas where knowledge is lacking, and ensures that the planned research does not unnecessarily duplicate previous work. Many researchers are less familiar with searching for 3Rs information, and may see this search as an added burden to be tacked on at a later stage. For the 3Rs to be truly effective, however, researchers must consider alternatives during the planning phase of the research proposal, so that appropriate alternative methods may be incorporated into the experimental design from the outset.

Conducting the 3Rs search is not always easy. Alternative methods are not necessarily covered in the mainstream literature, and methods that may well be relevant to one or more of the 3Rs are not always identified as such. In addition, appropriate keywords may not be used. For these reasons, specialized 3Rs-related databases can help (see below).

3Rs-related databases allow a researcher to search in a more focused manner for specific alternative methods: e.g., in vitro methods that may replace the use of animals in a given protocol; appropriate anaesthesia and/or analgesia to help minimize pain and distress; environmental enrichment techniques; models, simulators, computerised mannequins and other alternatives to the use of animals for education and training purposes.

Not all of these databases will be relevant for a given protocol, and no single database will review all of the relevant literature. Although there is no minimum number of databases to consult, a thorough search usually requires more than one.

A good search for 3Rs information should also include one or (preferably) more of the larger, more broadly focused databases as well. Three such databases to consider (all of which are available free to the public) are:

• PUBMED/MEDLINE
  Citations and abstracts for articles published in journals in medicine, life science and health administration.
• TOXNET
  A cluster of databases on toxicology, hazardous chemicals, and related areas.
• AGRICOLA
  Citations to U.S. literature in the agriculture and life sciences, including veterinary medicine.

Performing a thorough and appropriate search for alternatives is more than just a matter of meeting certain legal requirements; it is also good practice. Not only can such a search make for more humane science, it also can make for better science.

Specialised 3Rs-related databases

The 3Rs

• ALTWEB
  Alternatives to Animal Testing on the Web serves as a gateway to alternatives news, information and resources on the Internet and elsewhere. Altweb has been redesigned and now includes a guide to searching for alternatives.
• ALTBIB
  Bibliography on Alternatives to the Use of Live Vertebrates in Biomedical Research and Testing, National Library of Medicine
• AnimAlt-ZEBET Database
  A full-text database of alternative methods (3Rs) to animal experiments in biomedicine and related fields (Click on Databases, then Databases A-Z, and then on AnimAlt-ZEBET)
• GO3R (BETA Version 1.0) Ontology-based literature search engine. Keywords are submitted to PubMed and the resulting abstracts are classified using Gene Ontology and Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)

In Vitro Methods

• ECVAM SIS(Scientific Information Service) Database
  Provides factual and evaluated information on advanced non-animal methods for toxicology assessments; offers full method descriptions, including development and validation status (Includes INVITTOX test protocols)
• INVITRODERM
  Alternatives to skin irritation/corrosion testing in animals

Refinement Methods

• ALTWEB Pain Management (Anaesthesia/Analgesia) Database
  Information about anaesthesia and analgesia for most commonly used laboratory animals
• ALTWEB Humane Endpoints Database
  Designed to help researchers find the earliest "endpoint" that is compatible with the scientific objectives of their research, i.e., the earliest point at which an experimental animals pain and/or distress is terminated, minimized, or reduced
• A Reference Source for Analgesia and Analgesics in Animals (AWIC)
  Not a database as such, but a list of published reference sources on analgesia and the use of analgesics in animals
• Refinement and Environmental Enrichment for All Laboratory Animals (AWI)
  A merger of two databases, one for primates and one for non-primate laboratory animals; covers all aspects of refinement of housing and handling conditions and environmental enrichment

Alternatives in Education

• European Resource Centre for Alternatives in Higher Education (EURCA)
  Information about alternatives to using animals in higher education
• NORINA Database: Audiovisual Alternatives to the Use of Animals in Teaching
  Database of audiovisuals, computer programs, CD-ROMs, interactive videos, and other alternatives for use in the biological sciences
• InterNICHE
  Not as database as such but an open and diverse network comprising students, teachers and animal protection organisations; the network focuses on animal use and alternatives within biological science, medical and veterinary medical education

For guidance on searching and a more comprehensive list of relevant databases see:

• Databases section of the Animal Welfare Information Center (AWIC)
• Databases section of the University of California Center for Animal Alternatives (UCCAA) website
• FRAME Guide to Searching for Alternatives
• Guide to bibliographic databases for alternatives searching from the University of California Centre for Animal Alternatives
• IMPI guide to searching published literature for 3Rs information  This guidance document was produced by a working party (I3R) of Information Managers in the Pharmaceutical Industry (IMPI) to assist researchers and information professionals to retrieve relevant information on animal alternatives and the 3Rs

Included in the IMPI document are sections covering:

• Core 3Rs journal coverage across 12 bibliographic databases, including AGRICOLA, BIOSIS, CAB International, Chemical Abstracts, EMBASE,  PUBMED/MEDLINE, Science Citation Index)
• Details of scope, strengths and weaknesses, and useful search terms for each database
• A list of keywords useful for 3Rs and animal alternatives searching
• An example generic search strategy
• Selected other information resources