Identifying Key Factors for Accelerating the Transition to Animal-Testing-Free Medical Science through Co-Creative, Interdisciplinary Learning between Students and Teachers

SIMPLE SUMMARY: In 2021, the European Parliament called on the European Commission to create an action plan to phase out animal experiments in the European Union. This call for action came because many animal tests continue to be performed despite the introduction of alternatives and efforts to reduce the number of animals used and refine the way animals are used in medical science. An honours project was organised between May and September 2021 at Radboud University to contribute to the acceleration of the transition to animal-testing-free medical science. Teachers and experts delivered lectures on topics related to animal testing, transitions, governance, and legislation. In addition, the students conducted a desk study (literature review and document analysis) and, on 26 July 2021, held nine focus group sessions, each group consisting of five to six experts within various fields. This article analyses which factors could contribute to accelerating the transition to animal-free medical science. We identified six key areas that could support this acceleration. ABSTRACT: Even with the introduction of the replacement, reduction, refinement (the three Rs) approach and promising technological developments in animal-testing-free alternatives over the past two decades, a significant number of animal tests are still performed in medical science today. This article analyses which factors could accelerate the transition to animal-free medical science, applying the multi-level perspective (MLP) framework. The analysis was based on qualitative research, including a desk study (literature review and document analysis), lectures from experts, and nine online focus group sessions with experts on 26 July 2021. These were undertaken as part of an honours project between May and September 2021 to identify barriers, levers, and opportunities for accelerating this transition. The MLP framework identifies required changes at three levels: innovations and new practices (niche level), the current (bio)medical research system (regime level), and larger societal forces (landscape level). All three levels interact in a non-linear fashion. The model enabled us to identify many relevant factors influencing the transition to animal-testing-free medical science and enabled priority setting. Our findings supported the formulation of six “focus areas” to which stakeholders could devote efforts in order to accelerate the transition to animal-testing-free medical science: (1) thorough and translatable new approach methods (NAMs) for human-relevant medical research; (2) open science and sharing data; (3) targeted funding for NAMs; (4) implementing and modernising legislation for NAMs; (5) interdisciplinary education on animal-testing-free medical science; and (6) facilitating a shift in societal views, as this would be of benefit to both animals and humans. It is proposed that these focus areas should be implemented in parallel.