Humane science finds sharper and kinder tools
Stokstad, E.
Science 286(5442): 1068-1071
1999
ISSN/ISBN: 0036-8075 PMID: 10610517 Document Number: 510183
New technology is helping scientists cut down on animal experiments while improving the results obtained. Thanks to a trend toward better experimental design and more humane techniques, the use of lab animals has been cut back in a number of European countries, in some cases by up to 50 percent over the last two decades. What is more, work by Christian Schnell of Ciba-Geigy in Basel, Switzerland, has demonstrated that without the interfering effect of stress on animals, results are cleaner. Researchers believe that animals will never be replaced for certain experiments, but they are optimistic about the potential of chip technology and in vitro tests to replace animal trials in some cases.