ALTERNATIVES TO THE USE OF ANIMALS IN EXPERIMENTATIONS

THROUGH 4R’SAlisha ShaikB. pharmacy

Final yearRao’s college of pharmacy

Nellore

ABSTRACT “Animal ethics” is as important as human welfare. It needs

effective implementation of 4R’s [ refinement, replacement, reduction, rehabilitation ]. The death and distress of the animal during the scientific study have been a matter of debate. Displacement was first discussed by “Charles Hume” for animal welfare. Replacement involves usage of alternative models such as in vitro models, cell cultures, computer models, new imaging or analyzing techniques. A knowledge on computer aided drug design [CADD], structural activity relationship [SAR] computer programs, QSAR [qualitative structural activity relationship] software, Computer assisted learning program [CAL] provides a better approach in scientific studies.

Animals are used in the advancement in R&DAnimals are used widely in the development

of new drugs and to test the safety of other products.

Hence animals suffers with distress, pain and death etc.,.

Need for alternativesIf we deals with animals it

requires; Highly skilled man power Time consuming protocols Acts and rules followed at

international levels to protect animals. Such as

ICH guidelines

CPCSEA guidelines NIH guidelines OECD guidelines

PRINCIPLES OF 4R’S Animal ethics is as important as human

welfare. So effective implimentation of 4R’s is required[refinement, replacement, reduction, rehabilitation].

ReplacementReplacement is the substitution for

conscious living higher animals of insentient material.

Methods of Replacement: Cell cultureQSARCAL

ReplacementCell culture

Replacement QSARQuantitative structural activity relationshipIt is a computer program used to predict the

toxicity of new drugs based on similarity to more established.

ReplacementCALComputer assisted

learning programVarious tissues are

isolated from various animals for the experiments this can be replaced by using Ex-pharm and x-cology.

Reduction

Rehabilitation

ConclusionThe development of new technologies and

substitutions as an alternatives to animal testing is important.

Through the 4R’s successful treatment for diseases without the use of animal testing can be achieved.