Confronting Animal Methods Bias in Scientific Publishing

Stakeholders in the use of animal methods, as identified by workshop participants

Our 14th 3Rs Training Webinar will take place on Monday, February 6, at 1 pm ET/ 7 pm CET. This time, we invited Catharine E. Krebs, PhD, from the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM). She will talk about animal methods bias in scientific publishing, which is a newly defined type of publishing bias, describing a preference for animal-based methods where they may not be necessary or where nonanimal-based methods may already be suitable, which impacts the likelihood or timeliness of a manuscript being accepted for publication.

Participants who attend the whole webinar will automatically receive a certificate of attendance.

• Please register here

Abstract:

Animal experiments are subject to high variability, do not reliably predict clinical responses, and are ethically problematic. Despite the availability of more reliable, effective, and ethical nonanimal experimental systems, animals remain the gold standard in biomedical research and testing due to institutional inertia, financial interests, and other barriers to change. While systemic in nature, these barriers are carried out at an individual level, such as through unfair or biased peer reviews, often involving reviewers requesting that authors perform animal experiments to validate their findings. Animal methods bias in scientific publishing is a newly defined type of publishing bias describing a preference for animal-based methods where they may not be necessary or where nonanimal-based methods may already be suitable, which impacts the likelihood or timeliness of a manuscript being accepted for publication. This presentation will (1) provide evidence of animal methods bias, including anecdotal accounts and survey results, (2) explore its consequences, including the conduct of unnecessary animal experiments and negative career repercussions, and (3) discuss ongoing work to mitigate animal methods bias, including providing resources and community for authors and engaging with journal editors and peer reviewers. These efforts aim to contribute to the necessary shift away from animals in biomedical research and testing.

Bio:

Catharine E. Krebs, PhD, is a medical research specialist with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, a United States-based organization of physicians and laypersons that promotes preventive medicine, conducts clinical research, and encourages higher standards for ethics and effectiveness in research and medical training. At the Physicians Committee, one of Dr. Krebs’ main goals is to push the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the world’s largest funder of biomedical research, toward the most responsible and effective biomedical practices in numerous areas including Alzheimer’s disease, mental health, and translational sciences. She also leads a project to address animal methods bias in publishing by developing resources for authors and by engaging with journal editors and peer reviewers.