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Alternative methods and the three R:s
Methods currently referred to as alternative methods are seldom alternatives in the sense that they can completely replace animal research.
The dictionary definition of alternative is "one of several possibilities", i.e. a choice between two or more options. When it comes to animal research, such choices are not available. If an animal-free method is developed that can yield results comparable to an animal experiment, the animal-free method must be used.
New methods and new techniques can lead to ways of replacing animals in research, but most of the new methods are more of a complement than a replacement to animal research. To date, the greatest advancements in developing alternative methods have involved models that minimize the number of animals used in a study (reduction), or models that are improved to reduce the animals´ exposure to stress and other negative effects (refinement).
Read more about the ethical principles that permeate current research involving animal experiments, the 3Rs — replacement, reduction, and refinement.
New methods and new techniques can lead to ways of replacing animals in research, but most of the new methods are more of a complement than a replacement to animal research. To date, the greatest advancements in developing alternative methods have involved models that minimize the number of animals used in a study (reduction), or models that are improved to reduce the animals´ exposure to stress and other negative effects (refinement).
Read more about the ethical principles that permeate current research involving animal experiments, the 3Rs — replacement, reduction, and refinement.
The field is continually developing, and many types of animal research have been phased out in recent years. But for some research there are no alternatives. This would include, e.g. research concerning the interaction between different organs in a living body and how they affect each other in healthy and diseased states. The same applies to testing substances that can become drugs. The risk of testing directly in humans is considered to be too great and is prohibited by Swedish and international law.
Animal experiments raise ethically complex questions, and they are expensive and complicated to perform. These are some of the forces driving the search for different alternatives to animal research.
Text: Cecilia Johansson
Responsible for content: Mats Ulfendahl, Secretary General of Medicine and health, Swedish Research Council.
Editor: Peter Tillhammar, Swedish Research Council. Contact: Send email to the editorial staff.
Editor: Peter Tillhammar, Swedish Research Council. Contact: Send email to the editorial staff.
