Koeeläinpyritään

Koeeläinpyritään refers to the practice of using animals in research and development in Finland. The term combines "koe-eläin" meaning "experimental animal" and "pyritään" meaning "strived for" or "aimed for," indicating an effort or goal in the use of such animals. This practice is governed by strict legislation and ethical guidelines to ensure the welfare of the animals involved.

The primary legislation regulating animal experimentation in Finland is the Act on the Protection of Animals Used for Scientific Purposes. This law transposes the European Union's Directive 2010/63/EU into national law. The legislation aims to implement the "3Rs" principle: Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement. Replacement seeks to avoid or substitute the use of animals whenever possible. Reduction focuses on minimizing the number of animals used in experiments. Refinement aims to improve animal housing and care, and to minimize pain, suffering, or lasting harm to the animals.

All animal experiments in Finland require a permit granted by the Regional State Administrative Agency (AVI) after a thorough ethical review by an animal welfare body. These bodies assess the scientific justification for the experiment, the potential benefits versus the harm to the animals, and the adherence to the 3Rs principle. The responsible use of animals in research is a key aspect of Finnish scientific practice, emphasizing both scientific progress and animal welfare.