Taking Ethical Considerations Into Account? lic. iur. Vanessa Gerritsen Stiftung für das Tier im Recht (TIR) 27 March 2013, Messerli Research Institute, Vetmed Vienna

Harm-benefit analysis in Switzerland harm-benefit analysis as integral part of Swiss animal experimentation legislation severity grade catalogue (available at accountability of applicants –prospective evaluation –retrospective evaluation

Harm-benefit analysis in theory and practice Art. 19 Abs. 4 TSchG (Animal Welfare Law)  infliction of pain, suffering, damage or anxiety to an animal must not be licensed if there is no evidence of a benefit overbalancing the animal's suffering Theory and Practice: nodding acquaintances

Harm-benefit analysis in theory and practice in practice: mere formality  explanation that the meant project is able to contribute to the development of new therapies  rather 3R boards (with focus on refinement and reduction)

Self-evaluation tool (

Indispensable limit the three stages of proportionality  applicability  necessity  harm-benefit analysis doubts about applicability or necessity influence harm-benefit analysis! harm: severity concreteness benefit: importance concreteness

Closing words focus on implementation vast deficiencies in practice:  reduction to formality  untouchable science  stuck in tradition examination of implementation authorities decisions have to be strenghtened

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