“We should stop pitting animal testing against other models.” That is the title of the interview with Prof. Dr. Hippenstiel, spokesperson for the Einstein 3R Center and Charité 3R, which appeared this spring in *Albert*, the Einstein Foundation’s magazine, and is now also available online.
Journalist Nora Lessing speaks with Prof. Dr. Stefan Hippenstiel about animal testing, alternative methods, and the future of biomedical science. The discussion focuses on the applicability, potential, and limitations of models, as well as general difficulties with translation – that is, the transfer of laboratory research findings to medical practice – difficulties that affect alternative models such as organoids just as much as animal testing. The discussion centers on the quality of biomedical research and the continued relevance of the 3Rs (Reduce, Refine, Replace) in animal testing, which remains necessary – particularly in basic research – for reasons such as the fact that testing makes sense only in a living organism, as is the case with the development and testing of growing heart valves intended for use in children.
Click here to read the entire interview, which is well worth reading (Interview in German).