Busting Common Myths
Many people have misconceptions about animal research. We'd like to help set the record straight by dispelling five common myths.
Myth No. 1: Research on animals is irrelevant to humans because animals are too different.
Fact: While differences do exist, understanding these differences and similarities is useful to advancing scientific knowledge
Humans share 98% of our DNA with mice — and they’re specifically bred for medical and scientific inquiry. Less than 0.25% of animal subjects are nonhuman primates. Less than 0.5% are dogs or cats. In addition to mice, more commonly used animal subjects include rabbits, guinea pigs, sheep, pigs, fish and insects.
Many animals suffer diseases that mimic human diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular illness, epilepsy, diabetes, arthritis and more. Due to these similarities, many life-altering advancements in both human and veterinary medicine can be credited to animal research.
Myth No. 2: Research animals are treated inhumanely.
Fact: Quality animal care is critical to quality science and federal rules and oversight exist to ensure both are met
Healthy, non-stressed animals produce the most reliable data. Illness and stress can have stronger effects on the results than the experiment intended. If animals are not well-treated, the science and knowledge from their studies will not be trustworthy and cannot be replicated — two hallmarks of the scientific method.
Our research community strongly supports animal welfare. Working with animals is a privilege, and oversight is provided by an institutional committee — known as the IACUC — which includes scientists, non-scientists, veterinarians and members of the public. Together we ensure that the health and well-being of all animals in our care strictly adhere to federal and state regulatory guidelines and humane principles and that our animals are involved only in productive, meaningful studies. Our scientists and staff are committed to providing the best possible care to our animals. Additionally, many of our researchers and instructors are involved in research and teaching directly aimed at improving the health and well-being of animals.
Myth No. 3: Animal research is no longer necessary because there are non-animal alternatives.
Fact: Animals are only used in research when there is no alternative
Per federal regulations, animals cannot be used in a research project if viable non-animal alternatives are available. However, we cannot yet reproduce complex diseases, reproduce biological system interactions, or wholly reveal adverse drug effects on off-target organs in a cell culture, computer model or serum assay. The same holds true for animal teaching. While simulation models are available and utilized for preliminary instruction, a live animal is more than a collection of parts — and students need to understand how internal processes and external environmental factors interact.
As science progresses, it may be possible to further reduce the numbers of animals used in some areas. In other areas, the numbers of animals may increase. Scientists and instructors use guiding principles in animal research called the Three Rs:
- Replacement: To replace animals with non-animal techniques wherever possible.
- Reduction: To minimize the number of animals used as is consistent with sound scientific and statistical rationale.
- Refinement: To ensure animals suffer as little as possible by using procedures with the least potential for distress and harm and mitigating pain and distress wherever possible (e.g., providing pain medications, substituting invasive surgical procedures with minimally invasive techniques, acclimation and training, etc.)
Myth No. 4: Animal research doesn’t work, is wasteful, and has not made any contributions to modern medicine.
Fact: Animal research has been part of many medical advancements
Animal research has played a significant role in advancing the life sciences for at least the past 100 years. Our understanding of many common diseases has been advanced or improved through animal research. From Alzheimer’s and asthma to heart disease and high blood pressure to Parkinson’s, polio and tuberculosis.
Myth No. 5: Animal research benefits humans at the expense of animals.
Fact: Animal research also benefits animals
Good animal care is critical for good science, and science benefits humans and animals alike. The discovery of insulin in dogs, in the 1920s, is a great example of how biomedical research can benefit both humans and animals. Before this discovery, half of the people who developed diabetes died within two years; more than 90% were dead within five years. The discovery of insulin benefited not just humans, but also animals that suffer from diabetes.
NC State is committed to advancing the health and welfare of animals on campus, across the state and throughout the world. Our scientists are highly involved with translational research that benefits both humans and animals. Collaborations across our colleges and with other regional institutions have resulted in significant medical, veterinary, agricultural and environmental discoveries benefiting humans and animals alike.