¡World Laboratory Animal Day!
Towards a More Ethical Science: Advances in Reducing Animal Use in Laboratories
April 24 2025
This day, April 24, was established in 1979 by the National Anti-Vivisection Society (NAVS) to raise awareness about the use of animals in scientific experimentation. It is used as an opportunity to promote ethical alternatives, such as the development of technologies that replace the use of animals in research.
Ethical Concerns and the Need for Change
The use of animals in laboratories has been common in scientific research, but ethical concerns about their suffering have driven significant changes. Social and scientific pressure has promoted the search for more humane and effective alternatives that respect animal welfare.
One of the major innovations is organ-on-a-chip technology, which replicates human functions using real cells. 3D cell cultures have also advanced, more accurately mimicking human tissues. These developments reduce animal use and provide more relevant data.
The Role of Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence (AI) helps model diseases, predict drug interactions, and analyze large data sets, reducing the need for animal testing, especially in the early stages of drug development.
In the U.S., the FDA Modernization Act 2.0 (2022) allows the use of alternative methods for drug testing, while in Europe, the European Chemicals Agency has promoted animal-free methods for chemical evaluation.
The Case of Colombia
In Colombia, Law 2047 of 2020 bans cosmetic animal testing and encourages the use of alternatives. While animal use is still permitted in biomedical research, the law marks progress toward more ethical science.
Conclusion: Science with Ethics
Technological and legal advances have significantly reduced animal use in laboratories. Although there is still progress to be made, these achievements demonstrate that science can advance while respecting animal life and promoting more ethical practices.