Animal Experimentation: Contemporary Ethical Considerations

Throughout history, researchers have been solving medical and other challenging problems, developing new techniques and treatments, and curing diseases - largely by conducting animal experimentation. Animal testing gives researchers the opportunity to control in vivo the genetic and environmental factors that may influence the development of disease and establishment of its complications, and thus gain new information about its handling and treatment in humans. Most experiments are carried out on rodents, though other species with human-like biological characteristics are also used. In this review, an overview of ethical considerations in the use of animals in research, which have become highly topical and contentious, especially in recent times, are presented. The usefulness and contributions of animals in biomedical research are equally highlighted with some historical perspectives.

Key Words: Animal models, Animal testing, Animal experiment, Ethics, Endocrinology, Diabetes, Thyroid, Quinine.