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The creation of new drugs and biologics (including vaccines and blood products) usually involves years of basic research which does include the use of non-human animal subjects as well as a variety of other laboratory studies. After compounds are tested for safety and efficacy in animals (and sometimes even before these pre-clinical studies are completed), the compounds are then tested in groups of humans. Essentially, animal studies are intended to indicate whether or not a compound looks promising enough and is safe enough to then test in humans, but because non-humans are often poor predictors of human reactions, the process is fundamentally flawed. You can learn more about the pharmaceutical development process by visiting the Food and Drug Administration web site, but be sure to also look at what critics of animal-based science have to say.
This page provides links to information on why non-human animals are poor models for human diseases and more appropriate methods available to researchers, and offers links to alternatives to using live animals in education.
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ALTERNATIVES TO ANIMAL RESEARCH
Americans For Medical Advancement (AFMA) promotes human wellness by exposing the lost opportunities for cures and the life-threatening results of animal-modeled biomedical research. AFMA educates the public, showing how government and charities misspend medical research dollars and place our families at grave risk. We encourage everyone to read two books by C. Ray Greek, M.D and Jean Swingle Greek, D.V.M.: Sacred Cows and Golden Geese and Specious Science. The Greeks explain the scientific evidence supporting the growing consensus that non-human animal models are poor models for human disease, and provide examples of how non-human animal research has harmed humans, as well as information about which models are accurate and beneficial. You can read more of Dr. Greek's opinions at the National Anti-Vivisection Society.
The Medical Modernization Research Committee (MRMC) is a national health advocacy group composed of physicians, scientists and other health care professionals who evaluate the benefits, risks and costs of medical research methods and technologies. The MRMC attributes the steadily increasing incidence of cancer, AIDS, and other uniquely human diseases to inadequate treatment approaches derived from research programs based on artificial and unnatural laboratory "models." The billions of dollars spent on these research programs should be redirected to population-based prevention and (human) clinical research studies.
Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) is a national group of doctors and laypersons who oppose unethical human experimentation and promote alternatives to animal experiments. PCRM does its own clinical work assessing the effects of a vegan diet on diabetes, menstrual pain, and weight loss.
The Johns Hopkins University Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing gave rise to AltWeb, the Alternatives to Animal Testing on the Web database intended for use by researchers, industry, IACUCs, and the public.
Alternatives Research and Development Foundation is an affiliate of the American Anti-Vivisection Society (AAVS) and aims to provide the motivation, management, funding, resources, and scientific expertise needed to replace animal use in laboratories. ARDF provides specific grants to scientists and educators to develop alternatives; information on alternatives to individuals, organizations, schools, and representatives of media and government; and promotes alternatives through publications, lectures, seminars, and workshops.
Fund for the Replacement of Animals in Medical Experiments is not an abolitionist organization, but does advocate reducing numbers of animals, refining procedures to minimize suffering, and replacement with alternatives.
Institute for In Vitro Sciences is a non-profit, technology driven, foundation dedicated to the advancement of alternative test methods. The Institute functions as a independent technical and educational resource which strives to coordinate various efforts taking place in the field nationally and harmonize them with international activities. To meet these goals the Institute (1) provides non-animal research and testing services,(2) sponsors workshops and training courses in in vitro methods, and (3) creates a forum where Industry, Government and Animal Welfare proponents can meet to determine constructive programs which effectively reduce animal use.
Dr. Hadwen Trust is funding non-animal research into major health problems such as cancer, heart disease, meningitis and Alzheimer's disease. None of the Trust's research uses animals or animal tissues, and all of it contributes to the replacement of animals whilst furthering research into human medical problems.
European Society of Toxicology In Vitro like the name suggests, promotes in vitro toxicology in Europe.
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VOLUNTEER
To contribute to science without using non-human animals, consider volunteering for clinical studies at a local university or hospital. While animal testing is unfortunately used as a prerequisite for clinical drug trials, consider that the first time a pharmaceutical product is tested in human volunteers, those volunteers are the real guinea pigs. If you are not comfortable volunteering for pharmaceutical studies, and even if you are perfectly healthy, many psychology departments will use human subjects in their studies of cognition and development. Below are links to help you get started. These are just some of what's out there. Please see our Living With Compassion page for more ideas on how you can make a difference.
The Rosenthal Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine is located at Columbia University in New York. Examples of the Center's work include clinical studies on the effects of a macrobiotic diet on estrogens, and the effects of black cohosh on menopausal hot flashes.
The Medical Research Council's Resource Centre for Human Nutrition Research is located in Cambridge, England, and conducts clinical studies analyzing human body composition and nutritional epidemiology, among other things.
About.com has an excellent collection of links to diabetes research, including clinical trials.
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ANIMAL ALTERNATIVES IN EDUCATION
The Animal Protection Institute, a US non-profit, animal advocacy group provides this overview of alternatives in education.
New England Anti-Vivisection Society Dissection Alternatives provides a vast catalogue of the dissection alternatives available in the NEAVS library. The list includes cutting edge computer programs, CD Roms, physical models, books, charts and videos.
The "Next of Kin" – A Compassionate Interdisciplinary Science Curriculum helps students develop awareness, form attitudes, and take actions to solve problems faced by chimpanzees, our "next of kin," and other animals who are endangered or living in captivity.
National Antivivisection Society Dissection Alternatives Loan Program also provides a library of alternatives, including models, CD Rom, video, charts, books, and computer software.
University of California-Davis Vet School CD Roms and computer programs for veterinary students.
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DISSECTION CHOICE
The Ethical Science and Education Coalition is an educational affiliate of NEAVS, and promotes humane science education, and dissection choice legislation in Massachusetts. Read about their current efforts.
Check up on student efforts at the University of Illinois.
Call 1.800.922.FROG to phone NAVS's Dissection Hotline, a service designed to provide information, counseling and support for students, parents and teachers who object to dissection. The hotline offers advice to students, and works with individuals who want to help introduce the concept of choice about dissection into school policies.
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