Use of Laboratory Animals in Biomedical and Behavioral Research

Presented by a committee of experts from various fields, this book discusses the benefits that have resulted from animal research, the scope of animal research, the concerns of advocates of animal welfare, and the prospects for finding alternatives to animal use. It concludes with specific recommendations for consistent government action.

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Scientific experiments using animals have contributed significantly to the improvement of human health. Animal experiments were crucial to the conquest of polio, for example, and they will undoubtedly be one of the keystones in AIDS research. However, some persons believe that the cost to the animals is often high. Authored by a committee of experts from various fields, this book discusses the benefits that have resulted from animal research, the scope of animal research today, the concerns of advocates of animal welfare, and the prospects for finding alternatives to animal use. The authors conclude with specific recommendations for more consistent government action.

Table of Contents


Front Matter
Executive Summary
1. Introduction
2. Patterns of Animal Use
3. Benefits Derived from the Use of Animals
4. Alternative Methods in Biomedical and Behavioral Research
5. Regulatory Issues
6. Use of Pound Animals
7. Conclusions and Recommendations
References
Individual Statements by Members of the Committee
Appendix A: 1896 Report of the National Academy of Sciences
Appendix B: Curricula Vitae of Committee Members
Appendix C: Invited Speakers at Committee Meetings
Index