During Research Ethics Week (March 2-6, 2026), the Research and Innovation Office hosted an in-person Animal Welfare Symposium on March 5, bringing together over 150 researchers, administrators, and lab staff to discuss the evolving ethical landscape of biomedical innovation. The event focused on advancing humane science through new approach methodologies (NAMs) and the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement), highlighting how tools like AI and organoids can enhance scientific rigor while improving animal well-being. Speakers emphasized that welfare is integral to valid science, showcasing pilot programs in environmental monitoring and automated genotyping that successfully reduce animal use.
Read the full story: Innovation in Practice: Advancing Animal Welfare at UMN