Animals in Biomedical Research

In recognition of the need for the appropriate and humane use of animals in research, the American Academy of Neurology endorses and supports the appropriate and responsible use of animals as experimental subjects.

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Most scientists and philosophers take the ethical position that animal testing in the pursuit of medical progress is desirable, as long as animal suffering is minimized. However, a range of viewpoints exist—on the use of animals in research and on the notion of “animal rights.” For example, the (retired) philosopher Tom Regan asserts that animals have moral rights, though he also argues that to save human lives it is permissible to kill animals. Bernard Rollin, a professor of philosophy, animal sciences, and biomedical sciences at Colorado State University, asserts that any benefits to human beings cannot outweigh animal suffering.

Scientists and governments state that animal testing should cause as little suffering to animals as possible, and that animal tests should only be performed where necessary. In many labs, the guiding principles for the use of animals in research are “The Three Rs”:

1. REPLACEMENT refers to the preferred use of non-animal methods over animal methods whenever it is possible to achieve the same scientific aim.

2. REDUCTION refers to methods that enable researchers to obtain comparable levels of information from fewer animals, or to obtain more information from the same number of animals.

3. REFINEMENT refers to methods that alleviate or minimize potential pain, suffering or distress, and enhance animal welfare for the animals still used.