Innovation leads to reevaluation of animal testing

Is animal testing still relevant in today's day and age? For Dr. Gail Van Norman, while animal testing was once the most effective option available, this is no longer the case. While progress has been happening across all areas of science, animal testing remains an area where change is slow to come. In Dr. Van Norman’s own words “I believe we’ve reached the point where if you’re hanging onto animal testing, you’re holding us back”?

So why has it taken science so long to think of more innovative ways of testing? For Dr. Van Norman the answer is “Unfortunately, science can be like religion at times. The idea that animal research is effective and ethically acceptable dates back to before Descartes. But it wound up as a theology of sorts — based on faith — that animal testing should precede human testing. Science is wonderful in that you can move forward and learn new things like we’re doing right now. But sometimes things are accepted without being proven, and that takes a long time to unwind.”?

With Animal Testing starting around the 17th century, it wasn’t until the 1950’s that a shift started to happen when a movement began to change perceptions — or at least explore more humane protocols. The change continued over the years with small changes to methodologies and ideas brought forward. It has, however, only been recently that regulations around animal testing have begun to drastically change. For Dr. van Norman there is one simple reason behind this: “We have alternatives that are proving to be effective, so people are sitting up and taking notice.” Now, the US Congress seems set to pass a new FDA regulation that does not require animal testing in every drug approval scenario.?

?So, what scientific innovations have led to the elimination of animal testing? One major innovation has been the computer and the evolution of its processing power. Dr. Van Norman says: “I grew up in an age when there was a lot of skepticism about computers — that they were just games. I certainly had major doubts about their ability to model artificial physiology. But it turns out they are really good at it!” Computers are also a way to access an unimaginable amount of data. As a way to explore the toxicity of compounds prior to clinical trials, Gail is now exploring PharmaPendium. This provides precedent data from regulatory documents throughout the drug development lifecycle.?

?“But what really gets my attention is all these organ-on-a-chip experiments. They have created tiny human-like environments where they are testing drugs in the actual cells in which they will occur. I am sure we will find there are limitations, but meanwhile, they are developing entire organ systems that go together on chips. It’s exciting scientifically — at the same time it is the stuff of science-fiction writers.”?

?Animal testing Is outdated. The advancements in technology have led to a world where animal testing is becoming irrelevant, due to being able to achieve better results without harming animals. As more and more interest is brought to the subject, so will the realization that a change is needed. In the words of Dr. Gail Van Norman “It’s time to cut the mooring ropes and sail ahead”?

If you are interested in learning more about animal testing alternatives, Elsevier Life Sciences has been organizing webinars around the theme with industry experts. You can watch the webinars on “successful alternatives to animal testing” as well as “artificial intelligence alternatives” and the latest webinar on “Using control groups”?