An Investment in the Three Rs Can be Very Profitable

By Curren, Rodger

The Principles of Humane Experimental Technique by William Russell and Rex Burch provides exceptional value, both to practitioners of alternative methodologies and to bibliophiles who enjoy the pursuit of an out-of-print book. I was stimulated to find an original edition by my first visits to FRAME and its Chairman, Michael Balls. The search continued for several years, until I was able to find an edition suitable for presentation to him. During this hunt, I was able to learn a great deal about the Three Rs of Replacement, Reduction and Refinement, and the programmes that FRAME initiated to educate scientists and the general public about alternative approaches. Very importantly, I was able to use many of FRAME’s successful strategies to build up a similar organisation in the United States, the Institute for In Vitro Sciences. The double value of this book is now revealed — not only are its concepts scientifically and ethically valuable, but the price now being charged by secondhand booksellers means a more than ten-fold increase in the value of my investment!