Policy on research with(out) animals

Amsterdam UMC is committed to replace animal testing with animal-free research where possible.
Check our Amsterdam UMC policy on animal testing and the Research Code chapter on laboratory animals.

Models and techniques to replace animal testing are continually improving and we hope to rely less and less on animal testing in the coming years.

However, animal testing is still necessary for understanding many diseases and developing new medications. Animals at Amsterdam UMC receive careful treatment as stipulated by the act on the protection of laboratory animals: Wet op de dierproeven (Wod). In compliance with the Wod, Amsterdam UMC has got an institutional license perform experiments on animals. Moreover, for each project responsible researchers have to apply for a project license which is first assessed by the Animal Welfare Body (AWB/IvD).

Following this internal assessment, the IvD submits the application to the Centrale Commissie Dierproeven (CCD) on behalf of the institutional license holder. Project permission is based on ethical assessment by an independent local committee of experts known as the Animal Experiments Committee (DEC).