Which of the following practices is encouraged under the principle of refinement?

Under the principle of refinement, the focus is on improving animal welfare by minimizing pain and distress while enhancing the quality of the scientific research. Using minimally invasive surgical techniques exemplifies this principle because such methods reduce the physical trauma and stress experienced by the animals involved in research procedures. By opting for these techniques, researchers can achieve the same scientific objectives with less distress to the animals, thereby adhering to the ethical standards of refinement.

Refinement is about continuously improving procedures and care to enhance animal welfare, making the choice of minimally invasive surgeries align perfectly with this intent. These techniques are designed to limit the invasiveness of procedures, directly contributing to better physiological and psychological outcomes for the animals, which is a critical aspect of responsible animal research practices.