Everyday products that you likely own, tissue paper, sticky notes, contact lenses have all been tested on animals for their efficacy and safety. Animal testing refers to any experiments or procedures conducted on live animals to gain scientific advances, assess effectiveness of novel drug candidates and test safety of consumables products (cosmetics, food additives etc).
Most common laboratory animals include murine, fish, guinea pigs, primates and dogs which can be subject to different experimentations: food and water deprivation, drug or disease exposure, surgery followed by recovery. As such procedures potentially cause psychological and physical distress, the United Kingdom (Animals Act 1986) and European Union (Directive 2010/63/EU) have imposed strict regulations on animal use for scientific research. The protection and welfare of animals are key priorities and all conducted experiments must comply with such legislations.
In the case that animal testing is indispensable (no other alternatives) and that it will induce great benefits for humanity, there are few cases where it is morally acceptable to harm a few animals. This is however to be done using a set of principles “Three R’s” – Reduction, Refinement, Replacement.
- Reduction: reducing the amount of animals used in the experiments
- Refinement: refining the experiment so that animal sufferings are reduced by using less invasive techniques. Animals are also to receive increased medical care.
- Replacement: replacing animal focused experiments with other alternatives including cell culture usage instead of whole animals, computational theoretical models, human volunteers etc
The importance of using animal models ethically is needed for successful scientific advancement as:
- Improving our biological understanding to fight diseases and direct innovative therapeutics for patients
- Disease models to replicate the human conditions for example using rodent specific experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) to model human multiple sclerosis, a chronic neuroinflammatory disease with fatigue, motor and cognitive symptoms
- Drug safety tests as animal experimentations (pre-clinical trials) help eliminate ineffective or dangerous candidates before they are tested in humans (clinical trials)
Featured Courses
The CPD accredited courses are carefully crafted to help you gain in-depth knowledge on a topic of your interest.
Stem Cell Technology
The field of stem cell technology is a cornerstone of regenerative medicine, offering transformative pathways to repair or replace damaged tissues. This course provides a comprehensive exploration of stem cell biology, from the fundamental differences in cell potency to advanced techniques such as induced pluripotency and direct reprogramming. Participants will gain insight into differentiation protocols, the development of 3D organoid systems, and the application of CRISPR gene editing to correct disease-associated mutations. Beyond the laboratory, the course addresses essential quality control standards, global regulatory frameworks, and the complex ethical landscape of modern biotechnology.
Next Generation Sequencing (NGS)
This intermediate-level course provides a thorough overview of the field of next-generation sequencing, from its properties and strength and its major applications, to an overview of a typical sequencing workflow.
Molecular Ageing
The study of molecular ageing is a cutting-edge discipline, providing a novel lens through which to understand and treat age-related decline. This course offers a comprehensive introduction to the biological drivers of ageing, from evolutionary theories to the molecular hallmarks that define the biological clock. Participants will explore the mechanisms of DNA repair, the impact of oxidative stress, and emerging therapeutic frontiers, including senolytics and rejuvenation technologies moving from the laboratory into clinical consideration.
Cancer Biology: Exploring the Molecular and Genetic Aspects
This is an intermediate-level course that explores the molecular and genetic basis of cancer, its evolution, and cancer immunology.
Neuroscience
Neuroscience is one of the most advanced and fastest growing sciences. The beginning of the 21st century has seen huge developments in techniques to study and understand how the brain works.
CRISPR: Revolutionising Genome Editing
This advanced-level course is designed to develop an understanding of complex concepts related to genomics, particularly CRISPR/Cas technology and its applications...
In a letter to the British Medical Journal, pharmacologist William DH Carey highlighted the importance of animal testing “We have 4 possible new drugs to cure HIV. Drug A killed all the rats, mice, and dogs. Drug B killed all the dogs and rats. Drug C killed all the mice and rats. Drug D was taken by all the animals up to huge doses with no ill effect. Question: Which of those drugs should we give to some healthy young human volunteers as the first dose to humans (all other things being equal)?
To the undecided (and non-prejudiced) the answer is, of course, obvious. It would also be obvious to a normal 12-year-old child…
An alternative, acceptable answer would be, none of those drugs because even drug D could cause damage to humans. That is true, which is why Drug D would be given as a single, very small dose to human volunteers under tightly controlled and regulated conditions.”
