Reducing the Number of Research Animals: How Imaging Technologies Can Help

Abstract

Even when no other alternatives are available for scientific experiments, the use of research animals is still a difficult decision. To promote more ethical animal research, scientists must follow the 3Rs principle. Reduction is one of the 3Rs—it involves keeping the number of animals used to a minimum, by obtaining information from fewer animals or obtaining more information from the same number of animals. Imaging technologies allow scientists to see inside of the bodies of live animals without harming them, so that the animals do not need to be killed for scientists to study their organs. Using imaging techniques, scientists can study illness and responses to treatments. Animals can be imaged multiple times in long-term studies, so imaging techniques protect animal welfare by reducing the number of animals used in research.