3R Symposium in Oulu
On my way home from an inspiring event that left me with important reflections and wonderful impressions: breathtaking winter landscapes, delicious food, and fantastic colleagues.
Pauliina Rautio and Mikko Karpale opened the symposium with two thoughtful and insightful presentations on caring: caring for animals, caring for research, and caring for people. Pauliina also offered a very critical and thought provoking perspective on the current research culture and how care is taken from the viewpoint of a social scientist who has not extensively worked with laboratory animals. This outside perspective was particularly valuable, as it challenged assumptions and encouraged deeper reflection on how culture of care is perceived and practiced. Together, their holistic contributions beautifully illustrated what a genuine culture of care can and should look like.
The second session focused on more specific and practical aspects. Petra Sipilä presented tools to reduce animal numbers when breeding genetically modified strains. Paulin Jirkof introduced a highly feasible refinement method using Micropipette Guided Drug Administration. In my own presentation, I spoke about the value of negative results and their importance for scientific progress. The topic clearly resonated, as reflected in the engaging discussions I had with Hanna-Marja Voipio, Petra Sipilä, and Reetta Hinttala during the coffee break.
Publishing negative data can indeed be frustrating, as many colleagues shared. However, if we truly care about our animals, about scientific progress, and about the responsible use of public funding, I believe we have no alternative but to value robust negative results and treat them with the same respect as positive breakthrough findings.
In the final session, Petr Nickl provided a clear and comprehensive overview of methods to generate genetically modified organisms. Reetta Hinttala concluded the symposium with an engaging presentation on animal research within a core facility setting and her team’s work to advance understanding of several hereditary diseases, including those within the Finnish Disease Heritage.
My sincere thanks to Sakari Laaksonen and Salla Kangas for organizing such a wonderful event and for the opportunity to present alongside such talented colleagues. It was a memorable trip, rounded off with a refreshing walk at −17°C and a delicious Laskiaispulla — a soft bun filled with whipped cream and strawberry jam.
Kiitos, Oulu!
