An EARA openness event this week in Oeiras, Portugal, and hosted by the newly-formed Gulbenkian Institute of Molecular Medicine (GIMM), brought together researchers, animal welfare officers, communications staff, and institutional representatives to discuss increasing transparency in animal research communications and addressing the Portuguese public's lack of knowledge on the subject.
Miguel Prudêncio, principal investigator at iMM Lisboa and leader of a GIMM research group, stressed the indispensable role of animal models in his work developing malaria vaccines. While acknowledging the push for alternatives, he reiterated that animal models remain critical in biomedical research and drug discovery. “These models are irreplaceable in understanding diseases and developing treatments,” Miguel noted. He also highlighted the need for institutions to have proper resources to ensure ethical standards and monitor animal welfare.
Ana Isabel Moura dos Santos (pictured in news banner), professor at NOVA Medical School, chair of EARA and co-coordinator of the Portuguese Transparency Agreement (TA), discussed the ongoing progress in transparency within Portugal. She noted that while communication about animal research has improved, much more needs to be done, particularly with private institutions and patient associations, urging them to sign the TA.
Helena Pinheiro, a science communicator at GIMM and member of the Animal Welfare Body (ORBEA GIMM), spoke about the importance of ethical oversight paired with transparent communication. Reflecting on her shift from research to communication, she stated, “Sometimes it’s easier not to mention animal use, but transparency is essential.” Helena also said that more training is needed to help researchers simplify complex language in Non-Technical Summaries (NTS).
In the panel discussion, the speakers delved further into the challenges of transparency and misconceptions around animal research. Miguel, who gained significant media presence during the Covid-19 pandemic, remarked that while the media is open to discussing animal research, awareness is still lacking.
This sparked a broader discussion on how little the public understands the scientific process, including the role of animals. Kirk Leech, EARA executive director, pointed out that the European Union discussions on the phase-out of animal testing should be distinguished from animal research, where no alternatives to whole organisms exist.
By promoting transparency and openness, EARA’s events continue to encourage institutions and researchers to proactively engage the public, building trust and improving scientific literacy on animal research.