What's the alternative?
Stopping animal experiments will not mean an end to medical progress – far from it. By replacing outdated animal experiments with modern, scientifically sound research methods that rely on human, rather than animal, data, we will improve medical science.
The range of modern, humane methods currently available includes:
- ‘In vitro’ tests: scientists can study human cells or tissues in the test tube. Human cells can be used to investigate disease, to develop and test drugs, and for the manufacture of vaccines and antibodies. Every cell type can now be studied in vitro.
- Computer modeling: sophisticated computers can imitate the workings of the human body and duplicate the spread of disease so that researchers can predict how drugs will work and what effects they will have.
- Clinical case studies: a clearer picture of disease can be built up by monitoring illness in individual patients.
- Epidemiology: health problems can be analysed by the study and comparison of groups of people.
- Post mortem studies: examining the bodies of people who have died can give clues about diseases and their causes.
- Scans: various modern scanning devices, such as MRI, CAT and PET scanners can be used to study the workings of, and problems present in, vital organs, such as the brain and heart.
- Microdosing: tiny amounts of an experimental drug are tracked in the human body by radioactive labeling.
It is vital that we also focus our attention on education and the prevention of disease, and on providing better health care for those already ill.
Want to know more?
- Read our Humane Research factsheet
- Watch the What are the alternatives? section in our Wasted Lives film
