The Marqués de Valdecilla Research Institute (IDIVAL) reaffirms its commitment to ethical, responsible, and transparent scientific research, in line with the Transparency Agreement on the use of animals in scientific experimentation promoted by the Confederation of Scientific Societies of Spain (COSCE). The recent annual report published by this entity highlights a particularly relevant figure: in 2024, 22.5% fewer animals were used compared to 2023, reflecting the ongoing effort to apply the principles of reduction, refinement, and replacement in research models.
IDIVAL formalized its adherence to the Agreement in 2023 and, as stated in its Institutional Declaration on the use of animals for experimentation—published that same year—it expresses its commitment to the strict respect and compliance with current legislation on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes. In this declaration, the institution notes that all projects are evaluated by an animal experimentation ethics committee and require authorization from the competent authority before they begin, in addition to ensuring staff training and the necessary resources to guarantee the welfare and proper care of the animals.
As part of COSCE—which brings together 87 scientific societies and represents more than 46,000 researchers in Spain—IDIVAL is also integrated into a European and international framework of good practices through the European Animal Research Association (EARA).
Founded in 2014 and with more than 200 member organizations in 25 European countries and 21 other countries worldwide, EARA works to help society understand the essential role that animal research continues to play in biomedical progress, promoting open and evidence-based communication. Through this, IDIVAL strengthens its commitment to rigorous, ethical, and transparent research aimed at finding solutions for diseases that still lack effective treatment.
