Animals in biomedical research : towards a more compassionate approach

Abstract

The development of novel biosensors and other medical devices often implies extensive animal testing before the final phases of product development are reached. Most products do not reach the market. On the other hand, natural disease in companion animals often mirrors disease processes in humans, being a more accurate representation of the complexity of disease processes than laboratory animals. These are poor models of genetic variability, environmental exposure influence and often, pathophysiology. In this chapter, possible strategies for biomedical research that are based on a more compassionate approach are discussed, tapping on the enormous potential of comparative medicine for beneficing both humans and animals.