Replacing Animals: Better Ways to Do Research
Animal-free research methodologies offer more accurate, safe, human-relevant and reliable ways to conduct research compared to using animals. Embrace this transformative leap and champion better ways to do research.
HRA advocates for the adoption of superior, human-relevant techniques that benefit human health. Despite the ongoing refinement of animal models, they fall short in mimicking human biology, a fundamental shortcoming that cannot be fixed.
Animal-free scientific procedures that leverage human biological processes to explore disease and potential treatments, using human tissue and organ cells, as well as existing data. These novel methodologies offer a more relevant, reliable way to conduct research. Learn more below.
There are now better ways to do research
Discover the landscape of innovative alternatives to animal research, written in plain English to bridge the gap between complex science and public understanding. Drawing from authoritative sources such as peer-reviewed journals and government reports, this work distills scientific literature into digestible information.
Focusing mainly on animal research for human benefits, often a contentious point, this overview also acknowledges animal use in veterinary studies.
Existing methods and technologies are perpetually enhanced, with new alternatives surfacing regularly. Despite the complexity of this area, every effort was made to deliver an accessible, informative guide for all. To delve deeper into this transformative shift in research methodologies, we invite you to read the ‘Better Ways To Do Research’ report. It’s time to understand and embrace the science of the future.
Australia is falling behind the rest of the world
In regards to phasing out and eliminating animal testing, Australia is falling behind the rest of the world.
In the Netherlands
The Netherlands is leading the way with The Dutch Government committing to a phase out of toxicology tests for chemicals, food ingredients, pesticides, veterinary medicines, and vaccines by 2025. Their Transition Program for Innovation without the use of Animals sets out the means to achieve this through collaboration between the science, health care, government and business community.
In the USA
In the United States, the Senate passed the FDA Modernization Act in 2022. The Act amends the outmoded regulatory guidance by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) to broaden the options for drug developers seeking regulatory approvals to include modern and human-relevant testing methods (such as organ on a chip) in lieu of less effective animal experimentation. This follows the Environmental Protection Agency in the US pledging to eliminate all mammal testing by 2035.
The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 has provided funding to federal agencies for various initiatives aimed at increasing transparency, developing new approaches, encouraging rehoming and providing sanctuary for chimpanzees formally used in research.
The Maryland legislature has passed a bill to establish the Human-Relevant Research Fund. This bill will provide grants to scientists in Maryland who are developing non-animal research methods. In Maryland, the Human-Relevant Research Fund will provide grants and loans to promote State-funded research intended to develop human-relevant alternatives to using nonhuman animals in medical and product testing and research; requiring, beginning January 15, 2024, research facilities that engage in animal testing or research to pay a contribution, based on a certain number of animals, to the Department of Health.
In the UK and EU
In 2021, the European Medicines Agency (EMA)—responsible for the safety and monitoring of medicines in the EU—put in place measures to encourage and accelerate the development and adoption of non-animal methods in the testing and approval of new human drugs
The European Parliament passed a recent resolution calling for an action plan to end the use of animal experimentation. Passed with a resounding vote of 667 to 4, the resolution calls for the European Commission to establish an EU-wide action plan with ambitious yet achievable targets and milestones to accelerate progress in phasing out the use of animal methods in scientific research and education. The plan should prioritise funding for the development of non-animal science and technologies.
The UK also has a published roadmap, strategy, and vision for non-animal technologies in the UK, although admittedly seems to be failing in following this roadmap.
Animal-free research: safe, accurate, human-relevant and ethical
As new technologies emerge, the range of animal-free methods continues to grow.
Despite claims by some researchers that alternative methods are not yet sophisticated enough to replace animal tests, they are more dependable, safe, accurate, human-relevant and ethical.
Approximately 90% of drugs found to be safe and effective in preclinical research, of which animal testing is currently an expected requirement, fail to make it to human clinical use (i). With this alarmingly-high failure rate, the validity of animal-testing must be challenged.
Animal-free research produces more accurate results than tests on species who differ from humans in their metabolism of toxins, absorption of chemicals, mechanisms of DNA repair and lifespan – all factors that have a profound effect on the efficacy of drugs.
HRA advocates for the replacement of animals, not just because of the unethical and cruel treatment, but just as importantly for the ability of science to advance in delivery of vital drugs and other treatments to humans.
Here are a few examples of the inefficient and unethical use of animals, and what could be used to replace the animal to provide an accurate and effective result.
Better than testing on dogs
Microdosing
Involves giving research participants miniscule doses of an experimental drug then tracking the drug’s movement through the body by radio labelling. Its distribution and metabolism in bodily fluids is measured and enables researchers to quantify its concentrations in blood, urine, saliva andwhite blood cells.
Microfluidic chips
Consist of a network of interconnected reservoirs mimicking the organ systems of a living being. Researchers can place lung, liver, fat, gastric or heart cells inside the reservoirs, add a particular drug and quickly evaluate how the chemical is distributed, metabolised and excreted.
Better than invasive brain research on marmosets...
Non-invasive imaging techniques
Such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Positron Emission Tomography (PET) allow us to visualize internal structures of the human brain.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation
A non-invasive treatment using a magnetic field to stimulate nerve cells in areas of the brain. It has been shown to affect mood, motor and cognitive functioning. TMS has few side effects, and is also used as a treatment for mental illness.
Better than eye irritancy and skin abrasion tests on rabbits
Eyetex (TM)
Uses a vegetable protein extracted from jack beans. Like the cornea of the eye, this clear protein gel becomes cloudy when in contact with an irritating substance. The degree of cloudiness (“damage”) is measured with a spectrophotometer, which is much more accurate than assessing the damage to a rabbit’s eyes.
Reconstructed human epidermis
Involves a multi-layered human skin grown in the laboratory. Cells can be examined under the microscope, membrane damage can be assessed by leakage of enzymes, or inflammation can be determined by release of proteins and molecules called interleukins.
Better than antibody production in mice
Phage display
This the interaction between a virus and a bacterium to produce antibodies, which can be produced in a much shorter time than traditional animal methods.
We need your help!
Please support Humane Research Australia with your membership and/or donation so that we can continue the fight to end cruel and ineffective animal experiments and promote a better future – for both animals and for human medical progress. Animals should NOT suffer when there are more efficient methods.
More information
You can access EU reports on alternatives to animals in breast cancer, neurodegenerative ,respiratory disease, autoimmune disorders and immuno-oncology.
For more information visit the following sites:
- ATATAR – Alternatives to Animal Testing in Australian Research
- InterNICHE – replacing animals in education
- NORINA – a Norweigan inventory of alternatives in teaching and training
- http://altweb.jhsph.edu/Altweb – Global clearing house for information on alternatives to animal testing
- AltBib – Alternatives to the Use of Live Vertebrates in Biomedical Research and Testing
- Non-animal technologies database
- The Derm Review – an article outlining the history of animal testing to modern alternatives
- Read publications co-authored by the FDA on alternatives
- USDA Animal Welfare Information Center Alternatives Literature Searching Worksheet
- The RE-place project including a database of NAMs
Are you a student or researcher and cannot find the alternative you are looking for?
Contact us and our Scientific Consultant will respond with advice specific for your research area. See also our for researchers page for more recommended resources.
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