Animal testing

From WikiMD.org
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Animal testing

Animal testing, also known as animal experimentation, animal research, and in vivo testing, is the use of non-human animals in experiments that seek to control the variables that affect the behavior or biological system under study.

Pronunciation

  • /ˈænɪməl ˈtɛstɪŋ/

Etymology

The term "animal testing" is derived from the English words "animal", meaning a living organism that feeds on organic matter, and "testing", meaning the act of conducting a test or trial.

Related Terms

  • Vivisection: The practice of performing operations on live animals for the purpose of experimentation or scientific research.
  • In vitro: A process performed or taking place in a test tube, culture dish, or elsewhere outside a living organism.
  • Clinical trial: Research studies performed in people that are aimed at evaluating a medical, surgical, or behavioral intervention.
  • Ethics of animal testing: The ethical considerations of animal testing, including the questions of animal rights and animal welfare.

Animal Testing in Medical Research

Animal testing is a widely used research method in many areas, but particularly in the field of medical research. It is used to test the safety and efficacy of medications before they are approved for human use. This includes testing for potential side effects and determining the appropriate dosage.

Ethical Considerations

The ethics of animal testing is a subject of much debate. While some argue that it is necessary for the advancement of medical science, others believe it is cruel and inhumane. There are regulations in place to protect the welfare of animals used in testing, but these vary greatly from country to country.

Alternatives to Animal Testing

There are several alternatives to animal testing that are being developed and used. These include in vitro testing, computer simulations, and the use of human volunteers in clinical trials. However, these methods also have their limitations and are not always able to fully replace animal testing.

External links

Esculaap.svg

This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.


Languages: - East Asian 中文, 日本, 한국어, South Asian हिन्दी, Urdu, বাংলা, తెలుగు, தமிழ், ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai, မြန်မာဘာသာ, European español, Deutsch, français, русский, português do Brasil, Italian, polski