If a researcher uses fruit flies instead of mice for a study, which 3Rs principle is being applied?

If a researcher uses fruit flies instead of mice for a study, which 3Rs principle is being applied?

• A. Reduction
• B. Refinement
• C. Resolve
• D. Replacement

Answer: (D)

Replacement is about substituting a vertebrate animal with a less sentient or non-animal model to answer the research question. By choosing fruit flies instead of mice, the study uses a simpler model organism, reducing reliance on mammalian species and the associated ethical and welfare considerations. Reduction would focus on using fewer animals overall, while refinement aims to lessen suffering in animals that are used. So this choice illustrates Replacement.

Replacement is about substituting a vertebrate animal with a less sentient or non-animal model to answer the research question. By choosing fruit flies instead of mice, the study uses a simpler model organism, reducing reliance on mammalian species and the associated ethical and welfare considerations. Reduction would focus on using fewer animals overall, while refinement aims to lessen suffering in animals that are used. So this choice illustrates Replacement.