Animal research: utility and necessity

How do we preserve species diversity in oceans, give cows a dignified life on farms, and prevent humans from getting sick because of animals? These are some of the many questions that Wageningen University & Research (WUR) tries to answer with scientific animal research. To do so, our scientists study many different aspects relating to animals such as biology, behaviour, nutrition and how they adapt to changes in their living environment such as climate change and substances of concern. We also examine the consequences of human-animal interaction such as the installation of wind turbines or diseases transmitted from animals to humans.

Why does WUR conduct research with animals?

By conducting animal research, WUR fulfils its statutory duties and assumes its social responsibility to help solve policy issues. Knowledge about animals is needed to tackle the changes facing society. These include the agriculture, food and protein transition, but also the better use of raw materials and closing cycles (circularity).

An important part of our research is related to the statutory obligations imposed on WUR by the Dutch government. This includes monitoring animal species in nature such as fish stocks, the identification of animal diseases subject to mandatory reporting, safety and efficacy tests, identifying trace contaminants, and toxicology research. We also conduct research into the toxicity of substances in the environment. And we develop 'nature-based solutions': solutions where animals play a role to keep ecosystems, people and animals healthy.

What types of animal research does WUR do?

1. Protecting animals and animal welfare

A very large part of animal research in Wageningen is aimed at protecting animals from human influences. This includes research into the reintroduction of threatened species like the otter, studies into animal welfare in animal husbandry and ecological research into the behaviour of animals like the great tit. We call this target animal research. WUR is one of the few universities in the Netherlands and abroad with special expertise in this field. The research is both fundamental and applied and combines different areas of expertise: from physiology, biology, cell biology, nutrition and genetics to environment, behaviour and ecology.

2. Sustainable food production and biodiversity

Wageningen also conducts a lot of research with animals for sustainable food production, reducing ecological impact and to maintain biodiversity. For example improving the sustainability of husbandry systems, circular animal feed, agroforestry and reducing greenhouse gasses and ammonia emissions from barns.

3. Plant, soil and water research

A small part of the animal research is related to plant, soil and water health, such as the development of tests to detect plant diseases and studies on the transmission of plant diseases by worms and insects.

4. Research for human health

WUR conducts studies into human health: on nutrition, lifestyle and metabolic disorders. This only relates to a very small proportion of the animal research.

5. Research into alternatives to animal testing

Research with animals is also needed to develop animal testing alternatives. Some questions can be (partly) answered with studies in the laboratory and with computer models. In order to make the final translation to humans or animals and to increase the acceptance of these animal testing alternatives, an animal test is sometimes needed as a comparison.

Innovative methods and techniques

Wageningen uses many different methods and techniques to conduct research with and on animals, as well as developing new methods and techniques itself. For example, cameras and sensors can record animal behaviour and collect data without humans disturbing their natural habitat. Underwater robots analyse DNA from marine animals in places where it is too dangerous for researchers to dive. Computer models use that data to make calculations and predictions on which policy makers can base choices for the future. Using laboratory tests on tissues, we investigate various processes in the bodies of animals, sometimes also as models for humans. And by studying insects and octopuses, we learn to make better robots and drones. These methods increasingly lead to better results.

Next Level Animal Sciences WUR

Within the Next Level Animal Sciences innovation programme, scientists of the Animal Sciences Group of Wageningen University & Research are working with partners to develop new research methods and technologies that will be very significant for faster knowledge development and innovation in the domain of animal sciences in the coming decade.

Find out more about the innovation programme

Innovation programme Next Level Animal Sciences (NLAS)

In the innovation programme Next Level Animal Sciences (NLAS), scientists from Wageningen University & Research work together with partners to (further) develop new research methods and technologies that will be of great significance for accelerating knowledge development and innovation in the domain of animal sciences this coming decade.

Animal testing

Animal research sometimes (even legally) requires animal testing. For example, a vaccine against bird flu must be tested on birds. To know how many eels are swimming in the sea, we (now) need to mark young eels with a needle containing dye and catch them again later to count them. And to find out whether birds avoid wind farms in their search for food, we need to put a transmitter on their backs to track them. This is all included in the definition of 'animal testing'.