Animal research at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biolog
Animal research in basic science is a sensitive topic and raises important questions. That is why we believe it is important to explain clearly why animals are still needed in some areas of research. At the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, we study how life has evolved over long periods of time, how organisms adapt to changing environments, and which biological mechanisms underlie these processes.
Why is animal research carried out in basic science?
Some areas of research can only be studied in the whole organism. Many biological processes cannot be fully understood by looking only at individual cells, tissues or isolated molecular mechanisms. Genes, proteins, development, behaviour and the environment interact closely within a living organism. It is precisely these complex interactions that are central to our research.
Why is this especially important in evolutionary biology?
In evolutionary biology, this wider context is particularly important. Many fundamental biological processes have arisen through evolution and can only be meaningfully studied in the context of the whole organism. At the same time, we are interested not only in general mechanisms, but also in the specialised adaptations of individual animal species to their environments. To understand these relationships, research involving animals remains necessary in some areas.
Why are alternative methods not always enough?
Alternative methods such as computer simulations, statistical models and cell culture studies are very important in our work. We use these methods wherever they are suitable and possible. They help to complement, reduce and in some cases replace animal research. However, they cannot capture all biological processes that can only be observed in a living organism.
Why does basic research matter to society?
Basic research creates the knowledge on which later applications are built. It provides the foundation for understanding how biological systems work in the first place. This knowledge is also relevant to major challenges facing society today, from the consequences of climate change to disease processes, personalised medicine, pandemic dynamics and cancer development. Or, in the words of Max Planck: “Insight must precede application.”
Why is animal welfare central to our research?
Animal welfare is an essential requirement for responsible and reliable research. Animals that are distressed, suffering or harmed do not reflect natural biological processes accurately. Data obtained under such conditions would not be scientifically robust. Good research and animal welfare therefore belong together. Responsibility, care and the continuous evaluation of alternatives are fundamental principles of our work.