AniMotion: Animal Model Selection in Research
The evidence-based selection of an appropriate animal model constitutes the central focus of the AniMotion project. As an interdisciplinary initiative funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), this endeavor unites the expertise of the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover (TiHo) and the University of Bonn (UB). The objective is to integrate diverse disciplinary perspectives to establish a unified foundation for addressing the core question: Which criteria are decisive in the selection of an animal model?
This framework incorporates expertise from the fields of ethics and philosophy (Prof. Dr. Peter Kunzmann, TiHo), laboratory animal science (Prof. Dr. Bernhard Hiebl, TiHo), infectious disease research (Prof. Dr. Maren von Köckritz-Blickwede, TiHo), and law (Prof. Dr. Dr. Tade Spranger, UB). Evaluating potential animal species is a complex task requiring comprehensive consideration of scientific, ethical, and legal aspects, and typically falls under the responsibility of the project leadership.
Scientific suitability of a model alone is insufficient. Ethical implications must also be weighed, such as significant emotional strain on staff (e.g., due to compassion fatigue) or a lack of willingness to carry out the procedures. EU Directive 2010/63/EU explicitly mandates a "culture of care," wherein both animal welfare and potential burdens on staff are identified early and addressed responsibly. Accordingly, it is advisable to involve all individuals participating in the experiment in the decision-making process at this early stage and/or to communicate the process transparently.
To structure the decision-making process, AniMotion developed a dedicated decision-making game. This tool can be individually adapted to the specific scientific question at hand. Through systematic comparison of pro and con arguments for candidate animal species and incorporation of perspectives from distinct game roles, the objectivity of the selection process is enhanced. This approach proves beneficial for internal team communication, public engagement, and regulatory application procedures.
The corresponding game materials are available here:
