ALTERNATIVES EXPLAINED

Carol Newman's handy guide to answering questions about alternatives to animals in research

Have you ever been lost for words when trying to explain about alternatives to animal experiments? Ever felt your blood boil whilst listening to a radio phone-in, or been incensed by an article in the newspaper promoting animal research, but not known how to respond?
This page aims to provide you with some basic answers to help you tackle questions about non-animal research, and to spread the word about the Trust.

What are the alternatives to animals experiments?

There's a wide range of general approaches that can be tailored for use as alternatives to different animal experiments. These include cell, tissue and organ culture; the use of micro-organisms such as bacteria; research at the molecular level; studies with post-mortem tissues; computer simulations; population studies (epidemiology); and ethical clinical research with patients and volunteers.

You can't replace the reactions of a whole animal, or measure blood pressure for example, with a test tube.

We don't claim to: Instead, we aim to replace. each type of animal experiment with a sequence of alternative techniques.
For example, careful chemical analysis of a new compound, followed by computer modelling of molecular interactions and body systems; plus tests with selected human tissue cultures, can provide much essential information about a potential new drug.

When it comes to the "whole animal", it's wrong to assume that other animals are the best choice, or that they are necessary to solve every medical problem. Where possible, the careful clinical study of the whole relevant organism - that is, humans - is much more useful and reliable than an animal 'model'.

Why should scientists use alternatives to animals?

Research that does not cause suffering is always ethically preferable. The law in this country recognises that animals are capable of suffering "pain, distress and lasting harm", and scientists are legally obliged to consider alternatives to animal experiments.

Non-animal techniques are also scientifically preferable. Experiments on other animals do not reliably predict what will happen in humans because of differences between species, and because the illness is usually artificially induced, so its symptoms and nature often differ from the human condition.

Aren't alternatives merely adjuncts to animal experiments, rather than real replacements?

No. Alternatives have already saved the lives of millions of animals worldwide - experiments on animals have decreased by some 50 per cent in the past few decades, due mainly to the use of alternatives.

Cell cultures have replaced monkeys in polio vaccine production; batches of insulin are now analysed chemically, not in mice; pregnancy tests are conducted in test tubes instead of in rabbits; non-animal methods of producing monoclonal antibodies have saved thousands of mice, and test-tube techniques are replacing chemical bums tests in rabbits, to name but a few.

If alternatives exist that are much better than animal experiments. why aren't they being used more widely?

Alternatives are already being used in laboratories all around the world, and the European Commission has a scientific centre in Italy for the validation of alternative methods. Still, millions of animal experiments continue,

In many cases, appropriate alternatives still need to be developed. But other factors are involved too: an unwillingness to change from the established research method; a lack of knowledge or experience in alternative techniques; a lack of suitable resources or finances to conduct humane research; and the resistance of those with vested interests in animal research (such as animal suppliers and contract testers),

What needs to be done next?

Greater funding for the development and validation of alternatives is essential. A fundamental change is needed in how scientists view other sentient creatures, and training programmes for non-animal research techniques must be provided.

Scientists need easier access to information about available alternatives, and a comprehensive computer database enabling them to search by key words is an essential requirement.

Animal testing of products is largely conducted to fulfil requirements of regulatory agencies. These agencies must be persuaded to accept results from alternatives in place of animal tests, and to harmonise their requirements so that different countries don't demand a different range of animal tests for the same product.

For more information visit Dr. Hadwen Trust

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