BackgroundReducing the number of animals used in experiments has become a priority for the governments of many countries. For these reductions to occur, animal-free alternatives must be made more available and, crucially, must be embraced by researchers.MethodsWe conducted an international online survey for academics in the field of animal science (N = 367) to explore researchers’ attitudes towards the implementation of animal-free innovations. Through this survey, we address three key questions. The first question is whether scientists who use animals in their research consider governmental goals for animal-free innovations achievable and whether they would support such goals. Secondly, responders were asked to rank the importance of ten roadblocks that could hamper the implementation of animal-free innovations. Finally, responders were asked whether they would migrate (either themselves or their research) if increased animal research regulations in their country of residence restricted their research.ResultsWhile nearly half (40%) of the responders support governmental goals, the majority (71%) of researchers did not consider such goals achievable in their field within the near future. In terms of roadblocks for implementation of animal-free methods, ~ 80% of the responders considered ‘reliability’ as important, making it the most highly ranked roadblock. However, all other roadblocks were reported by most responders as somewhat important, suggesting that they must also be considered when addressing animal-free innovations. Importantly, a majority reported that they would consider migration to another country in response to a restrictive animal research policy. Thus, governments must consider the risk of researchers migrating to other institutes, states or countries, leading to a ‘brain-drain’ if policies are too strict or suitable animal-free alternatives are not available.ConclusionOur findings suggest that development and implementation of animal-free innovations are hampered by multiple factors. We outline three pillars concerning education, governmental influence and data sharing, the implementation of which may help to overcome these roadblocks to animal-free innovations.

中文翻译：

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政策驱动的动物研究实践变化：以荷兰为例，绘制研究人员对无动物创新的态度

背景减少用于实验的动物数量已成为许多国家政府的首要任务。为了实现这些减少，必须使无动物替代品更容易获得，并且至关重要的是，必须被研究人员接受。方法我们对动物科学领域的学者（N = 367）进行了一项国际在线调查，以探索研究人员对实施无动物创新。通过本次调查，我们解决了三个关键问题。第一个问题是，在研究中使用动物的科学家是否认为政府的无动物创新目标是可以实现的，以及他们是否会支持这些目标。其次，要求响应者对可能阻碍无动物创新实施的十个障碍的重要性进行排名。最后，如果居住国增加的动物研究法规限制了他们的研究，响应者被问到他们是否会迁移（他们自己或他们的研究）。结果虽然近一半 (40%) 的响应者支持政府目标，但大多数 (71%) 的研究人员不认为在不久的将来在他们的领域可以实现这样的目标。在实施无动物方法的障碍方面，约 80% 的响应者认为“可靠性”很重要，使其成为排名最高的障碍。然而，大多数响应者报告所有其他障碍都有些重要，这表明在解决无动物创新时也必须考虑这些障碍。重要的是，大多数人报告说他们会考虑迁移到另一个国家以应对限制性动物研究政策。因此，政府必须考虑研究人员迁移到其他研究所、州或国家的风险，如果政策过于严格或没有合适的无动物替代品，会导致“人才流失”。结论我们的研究结果表明，动物的开发和实施- 自由创新受到多种因素的阻碍。我们概述了有关教育、政府影响和数据共享的三大支柱，其实施可能有助于克服这些障碍，实现无动物创新。结论我们的研究结果表明，无动物创新的开发和实施受到多种因素的阻碍。我们概述了有关教育、政府影响和数据共享的三大支柱，其实施可能有助于克服这些障碍，实现无动物创新。结论我们的研究结果表明，无动物创新的开发和实施受到多种因素的阻碍。我们概述了有关教育、政府影响和数据共享的三大支柱，其实施可能有助于克服这些障碍，实现无动物创新。