The replacement of animal testing: ethical issues and practical realities

Increasing expectation that products and materials of many kinds should be 'safe' is leading to demands for more toxicity testing. At the same time, there is mounting pressure to reduce, refine and replace laboratory animal experimentation. The testing of cosmetics is particularly controversial. The only way out of this dilemma is the development, validation, acceptance and use of non-animal test procedures, i.e. replacement alternative methods. Given realism and determination, more funding, better science and good strategic planning, the future for replacement alternatives, and thus for human and animal welfare, could be a very bright one.