Animals in Research and Testing

Abstract

A heated public debate on the use of animals in biomedical research is being waged by proponents and opponents of animal research. The primary issue is the answer to a single fundamental question: Are Americans willing to allow the use of animals in biomedical research that aims to ease the suffering and prolong and improve the quality of the lives of millions of humans and animals? This article explores the threat to biomedical research posed by laws that restrict the use of animals in research and discusses federal legislation, American Medical Association (AMA) initiatives, and areas of controversy. The issue of animal use for toxicity tests such as the Draize test and the lethal dose for 50% survival of group (LD 50 ) test is also addressed. Few scientists wish to utilize animals in research studies. However, they recognize that the needed results cannot at present, nor in the foreseeable future,