Why test on animals instead of humans?
Not all compounds are tested on whole animals before being tested on human beings. In some instances, in vitro techniques are a perfectly suitable substitute for whole animals. For example, in vitro techniques might be used to determine whether, for example, a reformulated topical antibacterial ointment or sunscreen is likely to cause skin irritation in humans, and if so how much. If the compound passes the in vitro test, it might then be tested directly on humans without first using whole animal. Second, humans are used extensively in tests, sometimes after initial testing on whole animals, sometimes without such testing. Studies of this sort are called “clinical trials” and there are usually no fewer than three clinical trials prior to a compound being approved by the Food and Drug Administration. The first clinical trial is composed of a small group of volunteers. If the compound is shown to be safe and effective with this group, it is then tested in a second group that is larger th
