Reduction entails reducing the number of animals used without compromising the precision or amount of knowledge gained.
Reduction encompasses instances where the number of animals used in a specific experiment is reduced, without invoking changes in the conditions or settings of the given experiment. Consequently, the focus of reduction must be on lowering the number of animals used, while still generating the same knowledge. It therefore does not include instances wherein an organization, state or company, has reduced the overall number of animals in a given timeframe when compared to previous periods of time.
The development of animal models, with the intention of enhancing the scientific results achieved from an individual animal, is also considered reduction. Reduction can be achieved using methods such as screening with animal-free models, or technologies designed to improve animal testing. These methods may incorporate the use of animals with specific characteristics necessary for the experiment, or by designing more systematic experiments.
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