With What Should We Replace Nonhuman Animals in Biomedical Research Protocols?

Area of Science:

• Biomedical research
• Toxicology
• Drug development

Background:

• The 3 R's (refinement, reduction, replacement) guide ethical animal research.
• Replacement of animal models is gaining attention due to limitations in predictivity.
• Advances in modeling are creating viable alternatives to animal testing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To discuss recent modeling advances.
• To advocate for the use of these models as replacements for animal testing.
• To highlight the growing support for replacing animal testing in research.

Main Methods:

• Review of recent scientific literature on modeling advances.
• Analysis of trends in biomedical research and federal agency policies.
• Discussion of the benefits of replacement models for human health.

Main Results:

• Modeling techniques show promise for replacing nonhuman animal testing.
• Replacement strategies can enhance the translatability of research to human health.
• There is increasing momentum within research communities and regulatory bodies to favor replacement.

Conclusions:

• Modeling advances provide effective replacements for nonpredictive animal protocols.
• Adoption of replacement models will strengthen human research and improve health outcomes.
• The shift towards replacing animal testing is supported by scientific and governmental entities.