A History of the Development of Alternatives to Animals in Research and Testing

The aim of this book by medical historian John Parascandola, University of Maryland, is to trace the history of the concept of alternatives to the use of animals in research and testing from its beginnings until it had become firmly established in the scientific and animal protection communities by the end of the 1980s. The story of alternatives is set within the context of developments in science, animal welfare, and politics. Although some earlier scientists had on occasion put forth suggestions for reducing the number and suffering of animals used in experimentation, and even in rare instances replacing them entirely, the origin of the alternatives movement is generally traced to the publication of The Principles of Humane Experimental Technique in 1959 by W. M. S. Russell and R. L. Burch.

Contents:

1. Alternatives Before the Three Rs
2. Russell, Burch, and the Three Rs
3. An Underwhelming Response: The 1960s
4. Increased Attention to Alternatives: The 1970s
5. Alternatives Come of Age: The 1980s
6. Epilogue

176 pages.

West Lafayette: Purdue University Press

Price: USD $39.99 / 978-1 61249-962-8 (hardback); 978-1-61249-963-5 (paperback); 978-1-61249-964-2 (epub); 978-1 61249-965-9 (epdf)

The book may be downloaded from Purdue University under Open Access here.

Book reviews have been written by Michael Balls and Nico Dario Müller.

More information on the 3Rs of Russell & Burch.

Year: 2024

This is one of our favourite textbooks within Laboratory Animal Science.