Is Animal-based Biomedical Research Being Used in Its Original Context?

Abstract

Since the second half of the twentieth century, non-human animals (herein­ after referred to as animals) have been widely used as models for researching human disorders. Historically, this occurred for two main reasons: a) animals are complex living systems; and b) it is considered less ethically-contentious as well as easier, quicker, and cheaper to use animals than humans. Their ben­ efit for biomedical advancement is assumed even though systematic evalua­ tions, though uncommon, suggest otherwise. It is crucial to evaluate whether animal-based biomedical research successfully benefits medical research­ even through indirect pathways-or if it is being used merely to justify further animal-based research. In this chapter we demonstrate that there is a lack of communication between animal-based research and clinical research. We dis­ cuss possible reasons for this and reflect on whether animal use in biomedical research is, indeed, fulfilling its primary purpose. Humans share a long evolutionary story with the rest of the animal king­ dom, which explains common physiological and behavioral traits and ad­ aptations. For example, basal ganglia, a set of subcortical nuclei involved in