ETH Zurich creates more transparency in its animal experimentation

Animal research is a central component of ETH Zurich¡¯s research strategy. Particularly in the biomedical and life sciences, animal experiments are indispensable for gaining new insights into the workings of the entire organism, complex organs such as the brain, and the immune system. Without the use of targeted animal experiments, many fundamental questions would remain unanswered.

ETH Zurich attaches great importance to the responsible and professional treatment of animals. Experiments on animals are planned carefully in order to minimise their stress and to maximise the information gained. ETH actively promotes the 3Rs principles, which aim to reduce, replace and refine the use of animals used in experiments. In March 2024, it founded a 3R Hub to develop these principles further and make researchers aware of them.

New website with three main themes

The ETH Zurich Executive Board supports research involving animal experiments and is committed to transparent communication. For this reason, ETH set up a new website in March 2025 to provide comprehensive information about animal experimentation at ETH Zurich. ¡°The updated website aims to make communication about animal experiments, especially those at ETH Zurich, even more transparent,¡± explains Samia Bachmann, Head of the ETH Animal Welfare and 3R Unit. Together with her team, she supports researchers in applying for authorisation to perform animal experiments, in adhering to the 3Rs principles and in monitoring compliance with animal welfare regulations.

The new website has a clear set-up and consists of the three sections ¡°General information¡±, ¡°Animal experiments at ETH¡± and ¡°The 3Rs principles¡±. It also provides details of ETH Zurich¡¯s position in this regard.

Specific examples of animal experiments

The section ¡°Animal experiments at ETH¡± offers new insights into animal research at ETH. Here, the public and researchers can find out which species and infrastructure are used in research at ETH. They can learn about current research projects involving animals and how the animals are used. ¡°Readers can find out the degree of severity of an experiment and what these degrees of severity really mean,¡± says Bachmann. The animal experimentation statistics have also been redesigned to provide a clear picture of the species used and according to an experiment¡¯s severity level.

The 3Rs principles are explained, as are the activities of the 3R Hub. A separate website presents 3R projects at ETH Zurich with details such as an automated analysis of animal behaviour and the use of biosensors and microtissues for drug development.

The new website complies with STAAR guidelines (external page Swiss Transparency Agreement on Animal Research), which aim at ensuring that animal experiments are carried out responsibly, with regular and transparent explanations of how and why animals are used in research at universities and research institutions.