The Hague januari 2019 Dear patient, financier, researcher, doctor, policy maker, Part 5
Why TPI Helpathons? This letter was published in Dutch as an introduction to the Progress Report January 2019 from Innovation Network Innovative Health Research for the Dutch TPI program (Transition Animal-Free Innovation) after the first TPI Helpathon. It was signed by a selection of members of the network.
We are not sure whether we need animal testing now We share the desire to make a contribution to human health, preferably without testing animals. We think that, sometimes, we can only answer our human health research questions with the testing of animals. We are researchers, funders, policymakers and concerned citizens. Together we form the temporary renewal network "Innovative Health Research". We are sure that new research methods have a lot of potential We take responsibility for the fact we do research with animal testing or have done research with animal testing. We consider it risky to just stop with animal testing when developing medicines, therapies and treatment methods. Our aim is to contribute faster and better to the wellbeing of people with a disease. At the same time, we consider it risky to just continue with animal testing. In many cases, the therapeutic results obtained with experimental animals can not be translated to the patient. We choose the path of open dialogue and consensus to arrive at innovative, animal-free research methods. Courage and persistence It requires perseverance to break through with new research and funding practices. Existing research practices and funding protocols have been optimized for years and years. It takes courage to reconsider our research practices we fund or carry out with animal testing and to communicate openly and transparently about it. → 20