Legislation on alternatives to animal experimentation and recognized methods between 2014 and 2022 in Brazil

Abstract

Alternative methods aim to replace the use of animal models in scientific activities or to reduce and refine their use when replacement is not possible, which is in line with the principle of the 3Rs – replacement, reduction, refinement. In Brazil, alternative methods to the use of animals are recognized by the Conselho Nacional de Controle de Experimentação Animal (National Council of Animal Experimentation Control) – Concea, which, together with the Rede Nacional de Métodos Alternativos (National Network of Alternative Methods) – Renama and the Brazilian Center for the Validation of Alternative Methods – Bracvam, regulates and coordinates this theme in the country. In this way, the present study aimed to present the Brazilian legislation available on the Concea website that provides alternative methods to the use of animals in Brazil, and to identify the validated methodologies recognized in the country. After consulting the national legislation in force in April 2023, it was verified that of the 34 normative acts available on the Concea website, of which 82% (28/34) are Normative Resolutions (NRs) and 18% (6/34) are Guidelines, Techniques, Laws, Decrees, Ordinance and Resolution of the Collegiate Board, 21% (7/34) provide for alternative methods to animal experimentation. It was possible to identify that, with the publication of NRs no. 18, no. 31, no. 45 and no. 56, from 2014 to 2022, Concea recognized 41 validated alternative methods, which present a total of 14 experimental outcomes. Brazilian legislation establishes a period of five years from the recognition of the alternative method for its use to be mandatory. It is possible to conclude that, although the use of animals in various experimental activities is still necessary for the advancement of science, research for the development, validation and recognition of new alternative methods has increased in recent years in Brazil, which represents great advance for the country.